Jan/Feb 2017 by Anderson Magazine

Anderson andersonmagazine.com January/February 2017

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South Carolina’s First Lady of Song:

Your Guide to

“I Do”

Get to know your

Anderson County Council

Anderson Magazine • January/February 2017

Shootin’ Hoops for Christian Outreach

What Can you Do with a Box 5 Get to Know the County Council 7 and Sheriff McBride The Fabulous Lady Loretta 22 The Latest in Lipo 26 10 Weeks to Success at Tri County 32 A Talented Teacher 38 for Talented Students Having a Ball 42 Mastering the Financial Puzzle 45 Your Guide to I Do 46 Shootin’ Hoops for Christian Outreach 60

The Anderson Free Clinic

andersonmagazine.com Publisher/Editor April Cameron Advertising Sales Jeanie Campbell Graphic Design Jennifer Walker Contributing Writers Caroline Anneaux John Boone Liz Carey Lisa Marie Carter Greg Wilson Jay Wright Contributing Photographers Black Truffle Photography Life is a Tripp Photography JC Images Norma Hughes Smith Anderson Magazine is published six times a year. Advertising Inquiries: AndersonMagJeanie@gmail.com 864-634-9191 Editorial Inquiries: News@andersonmagazine.com 864-221-8445 Copyright: All contents of this issue ©2017, Anderson Magazine. All rights reserved. No portion of this issue may be reproduced in any manner without prior consent of the publisher. The publishers believe that the information contained in this publication is accurate. However, the information is not warranted, and Anderson Magazine does not assume any liability or responsibility for actual, consequential or incidental damages resulting from inaccurate erroneous information.

Cover Photography by Black Truffle Photography

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Letter from the Editor It’s that time when we think about all the ways to make this year better than last. We “resolve” to lose weight, save money, start a hobby…anything to improve ourselves or our lives. That’s a good thing. We all need to take time to be introspective and figure out what we can do to have a happier and healthier life. In this issue of Anderson Magazine, there are several articles about things to do for an improved life. For example, check out the story on the Anderson Free Clinic. This healthcare organization has offered life-changing services to the under- and uninsured citizens of Anderson County. The clinic has improved thousands of lives by offering necessary medications, dental procedures and more. You’ll also enjoy our feature on the members of the Anderson County Council and our new sheriff. These individuals have a vision for an improved county. Together, they will tackle the problems, address the issues and resolve to find solutions that make Anderson County the best it can be. If volunteering or helping with charity is on your list of resolutions, check out our Having a Ball story. January, February and into the spring, several local non-profits are all raising funds and throwing great parties to do so. Buying a ticket and attending these events is a great way to do your part – or get involved at a deeper level and volunteer to help out. Sometimes, our improvements are more personal, and that’s o.k., too! We’ve got a piece on some great resources for alternatives to traditional liposuction. If diet and exercise haven’t given you the results you want, these options may be just what you are looking for. Read up on the information we have available, and then decide what may be right for you. In addition to these type of “improvement” articles, you’ll enjoy our other stories as well. Did someone in the family get engaged over the holidays? Check out our Wedding Resource Guide. Have a student in the Gifted & Talented program at school? See how one educator approaches teaching in his classroom. And finally, read about our cover lady, South Carolina’s First Lady of Song, Loretta Holloway. Her story of success is as beautiful as her voice and her cover photo. Here’s to wishing you a happy, healthy and improved 2017! May your resolutions include reading Anderson Magazine each issue! n

~April

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January/February 2017

United Way of Anderson County

What Can You Do With A Box? By Tammie Collins, United Way of Anderson County When I was a kid, a box was the most wonderful thing in the world. A box in pretty, shiny wrapping paper meant a surprise, a present for me to unwrap. An empty box, often even better. An empty box was a spaceship, a fort, a stove for cooking….whatever my imagination wanted it to be. In February, a box meant Valentine’s chocolate! Today, as an adult, a box is still one of the most wonderful things in the world. The box I am talking about is the box that is feeding kids and fueling minds! There are many children in this community that go hungry over the weekend. While they are fed at school through the free breakfast and lunch program, they will go home over the weekend with very little to no food to feed them on Saturday and Sunday. This is a heart-wrenching issue that goes far beyond just hunger. Hunger impacts a child’s ability to be successful in school. For children without food over the weekend, it generally takes until Tuesday (after a school breakfast and lunch cycle) that they are back on track, able to concentrate and ready to learn. So what does a box have to do with this? Through the Weekend Snackpack program, we are ensuring that 1,000 children identified as “in need” are receiving bags of food that go home with them each and ev-

ery weekend during the school year. These bags are packed in boxes and delivered to 24 elementary schools throughout the county. This effort, done in partnership with The United Way of Anderson County, the Golden Harvest Food Bank and all five Anderson school districts requires collaboration, volunteers and dollars. It costs over $150,000 each year to ensure these children are feed and ready for school. Last year, we lunched the BUY A BOX Day. On this day individuals could go on-line to buy a box of food that feeds eight children over a weekend. On that single day in February, our community stepped up to the plate and donated approximately $35,000. That was enough to buy enough boxes to feed 1,000 children for eight weekends straight. I am confident our community will do this again, and we need you to be a part! On February 8, BUY A BOX day, will you buy a box (or two, or several)? One box of snackpacks is $40 and will feed eight children for one weekend. To be a part of Buy A Box Day, please go to www.UnitedWayBuyABox.org. If you have a group that would like to assist with packing boxes, contact Tammie Collins at 864-226-3438 or tammie.collins@uwandersoncty.com. n

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January/February 2017

Get to know your

Anderson County Council and new sheriff

By Greg Wilson

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January/February 2017

Gracie Floyd

Gracie Floyd is dedicated to the Homeland Park area.

Gracie Floyd just wants to get things done. “Accomplishments speak louder than promises,” Floyd said. “And I have accomplished a lot for Anderson County in my time on council.” As a teacher for more than 30 years, Floyd has presided over classrooms that included almost every age group, from second graders to adult education students. But for the past 17 years, her “classroom” has extended to County Council District Two and the county council chambers of the historic courthouse. “What are we going to do about this?” is often her mantra in county council meetings and in meetings with her constituents. Floyd is all about getting things done. During her working career, Floyd also served as assistant principal of Honea Path Middle School, principal of Wright Middle School in Abbeville, director of the First Steps Parenting Program in Abbeville and as drug/alcohol counselor and employment evaluator for South Carolina Vocational andersonmagazine.com

Rehabilitation. She retired from her position as director of public support for Senior Solutions in 2000 to devote more time to council. Floyd was first elected to Anderson County Council in 1999, following the death of her husband, William A. Floyd, who was the first African-American to serve on council. She is currently the longest serving council member. Her long service in her district has been marked by her hands-on approach to dealing with her constituents, and she has been a champion of building and maintaining recreational facilities, including the Haynie Park facility at Broadway Lake. “I focus on what people want in a particular situation,” Floyd said. “I looked at Haynie Park and thought it would be a great place for citizens of Anderson to come out and enjoy. The Broadway community is huge, and they do phenomenal things out here, and it brings visitors to this area. This is a beautiful addition to Broadway Lake and our plans for the lake.” The facilities at Haynie Park have been very popular, with weddings, family reunions and other events booking at the community building completed at her behest, sometimes months in advance. “It was a diamond in the rough, and I am so proud of it,” Floyd said. Floyd, who has also served as the president of the S.C. Black Council Association, says she has traveled across the state, and few places have as much to offer as Anderson. “I know that our people in Anderson County can stand up next to anybody in this state. We have some talented people,” Floyd said. She said working together with some of those people, she has been able to launch a number of new projects and programs for the county. “I have been willing to go up to Washington and get things done,” Floyd said, citing that she helped secure funding for the demolition of abandoned mills and the creation of a bus line between Anderson and Clemson among her accomplishments. She also started a gang task force and was able to find funding to eliminate sub-standard housing in the county during her tenure. But don’t call Gracie Floyd a politician.“I don’t play politics,” Floyd said. “I am a people person. I love people. But I don’t play. What you are going to get from me is the straight truth as it is.” “I just want people to understand that we are all in this together,” Floyd said. “Whatever happens, it happens to us all. So we need to work together for things we can be proud of for all of our citizens.” n

January/February 2017

Ken Waters Anderson County Councilman Ken Waters is a fisherman. He spends a lot of his free time cruising around Hartwell Lake on a bass boat looking for the perfect spot to reel in the big ones. He’s even been on television fishing programs. It’s something he takes seriously, and has some serious fun along the way. Waters, who serves as councilman for Anderson County Council District 7, which makes up the Piedmont/Powdersville area, does not stop fishing when he puts down his rod and reel. Retired from the United States Air Force, and now an engineer for Duke Energy, Waters uses his time off the lake to fish for solutions. “I like to find answers for things, to fix things,” Waters said. This penchant for discovering solutions, combined with his love for his community is what led him to making the decision to serve on council more than six years ago. He was so energized by the idea of serving on Anderson County Council, he initially filed to run without asking his wife of 32 years, Sherry. “It was the first time I’d done anything like that without running it by her,” Waters said, laughing. “It was also the last time, and I’ll never do it again.” He said it took Sherry, who works with special needs children at Wren High School, less than two weeks to warm up to the idea, and along with his two grown sons and daughter, has been a big supporter of his efforts on council ever since. But it took Waters a bit longer to learn the ropes after his first election. It’s once of the reasons he supported the recent countywide referendum to change council members time of service to staggered four-year terms, replacing the the current uniform two-year election cycle. The effort lost this time, even though more than 48,000 voters supported the idea. “You never know enough about how things work when you get started on council, and by the time you figure things out, it’s time to run for re-election,” Waters said. He also said the part-time council position easily consumes as much energy and hours as most full-time jobs. Waters starts his mornings in the wee hours before most of us are awake, checking email and reading over materials related to his role as councilman. Among the challenges council has faced during his three terms is winning back the trust of the citizens after the conandersonmagazine.com

Ken Waters spends his free time on the lake.

troversial period at the end of former Anderson County Administrator Joey Preston’s time of leadership. “We’ve won a lot of trust back,” Waters said. “I think people know, even when they disagree with us this council is trying to do what’s best for Anderson County.” “The key has been listening, and I like to listen to people. We are open and honest with citizens, and do things the right way.” Waters said that approach has paid off as the county has watched unemployment drop and investment and new, high-paying jobs increase dramatically during his time on council. He hopes council can continue its success by literally paving the road to progress, noting that the current road repair/paving formula is more than 30 years old. “We’ve got to figure out a way to fix our roads,” he said. “And I believe we can do it.” Not a surprising conclusion for a man who believes saying yes is a good answer. “A pastor told me one time to say yes to the Lord’s will, and He’ll work it out.” n 9

January/February 2017

Ray Graham

Ray Graham owns Cam’s Cafe in Iva.

Ray Graham really knows his community, and knows what it means to serve. He’s lived or owned businesses in all three towns in Anderson County Council District Three, and in each one he has been involved in public service in some way. Graham grew up in Belton, where he joined the Belton Rescue Squad as a junior member at age 14. He also served in the Cheddar Fire Department, Belton Fire Department and as a reserve law enforcement officer in Belton. He later served as a law enforcement officer for the City of Anderson and as a deputy with the Anderson County Sheriff ’s Department, where he worked as an investigator. He later moved to Starr and opened a family restaurant, Cam’s Cafe, in Iva. His wife Linda is magistrate, a native of Starr and was involved in the celebrated softball program at Crescent High School. So it was this commitment to community service that led to his decision to run for Anderson County Council. “I felt like our community needed a stronger voice on council,” Graham said. “These are all small communities, but they are great communities.” He said he is already getting a lot of phone calls, and a lot of people coming in the restaurant telling him they are facing some type of issue in which they feel like county council can help. andersonmagazine.com

“They are keeping me busy,” Graham said. “It’s been interesting.” As one of the two new members of council, he said his experience in law enforcement and fire department service should help as the county evaluates EMS services in the year ahead. “We have one of the best fire systems in the state, and it’s basically a volunteer system, so the cost savings to the county is unreal,” he said. He added that the recently completed EMS study is important to the county’s future. “The study gave a lot of the guys doing the work heartburn,” Graham said. “I think the study has brought to light what we need to do to move forward. It was a good step to get the study completed, and county council is to be commended. “Talking to other council members, everybody seems to have an open mind and wants to do what we can to improve the system. Anything can be improved, but you have to buy into the concept and be willing to improve yourself,” Graham said. “Even if we keep the current system, we need to grow and change. It’s time to move to next level, and I think the study has brought to light that we need to move forward.” Moving forward is nothing new for Graham. Since his election victory, he has attended council meetings and met regularly with council members and constituents as he begins his new part-time job serving in his Anderson County Council District Three seat. At first blush, to a businessman, the move makes little financial sense. With an annual salary of $8,930, Anderson County has among the lowest salaries for council members in the state. Add the time for full council meetings, committee meetings and constituent service, and the hours are long. Factor in the election costs and it seems like a poor investment. But Graham sees his service on county council in a different light. “I didn’t run for council for how it would benefit me,” Graham said. “The true benefit to me and my family is to see Anderson continue to grow and improve and continue to move forward.” Graham has four kids and three grandchildren in Anderson County, and he said his service is an investment in their future. “We have so many good things going on in our county today, it’s a great time for Anderson County.” n

January/February 2017

Tom Allen

Tom Allen is a master gardener. He likes digging in and getting things done. It is a skill which has served him well on county council. As the representative for Anderson County Council District Four - Pendleton, LaFrance, and Townville - Allen says the decision to run for the office is something he’s never regretted. “It was something I wanted to do, even though I didn’t know what to expect,” Allen said. A retired Vietnam veteran, Lt. Col. Allen said his years in the military did not prepare him for what he would face on county council. “In the military, everything is so regimented, you know exactly what is going on and who is responsible,” Allen said. “On county council you don’t know where the bullets are coming from. “People would be surprised to know that it’s a steep learning curve. There are so many different groups, you have constituents, your other council members, and a lot of things to juggle.” Allen, who was born in a small mill town in southern Ohio, is the first person to serve on county council from outside the South. He moved to Anderson, which was the home of his wife Janice’s family, in the late 1990s. He said that the background serves him well in his district. “That’s a really interesting point,” Allen said. “I think maybe I have a broader perspective in a lot of ways because of it. In my district in the northern part of the county, I’ve got a lot of people who have moved in from all over the United States.” He said those new citizens come to the area with certain expectations of services, including recreational activities, cultural and arts activities, and just a wide variety of things to do. Since his election to council in 2008, Allen has also been a champion for animal rights in Anderson County. He has spent the past several years crafting updates to the county animal ordinance, meeting with animal rights and rescue groups and animal enforcement to provide for the humane treatment of pets and livestock. The year ahead brings a number of challenges to council, including issues with EMS, road maintenance and health care cost increases for county employees. “As we all continue to talk about challenges, taking care of our roads continues to be an issue,” Allen said. “Some of this we are going to have to wait on the state to move ahead, but we have to deal with it. Anderson County’s roads map looks like a bad case of varicose veins, that’s one thing that’s created a problem. andersonmagazine.com

Tom Allen is an animal rights advocate.

“We’re also looking at health care plans for county employees. Over the past two years, increases have brought the county an additional $750,000 in health care costs for our employees. “And we’ve also got to figure out an efficient way to make countywide EMS work, that’s a big issue we’ll be dealing with this year.” When he’s not working on council projects, or spending time with his family, Allen is a man of many hobbies. He said while he’s getting too old for racquetball, he keeps active with photography, target shooting and reading. Allen is also an avid gardener. His other part-time job away from council is working with plants at Home Depot. “I earned my master gardener credentials from Clemson University,” Allen said. “Whether at home or Home Depot, it’s something I really enjoy.” n 11

January/February 2017

Tommy Dunn

Tommy Dunn on his family farm.

Anderson County Council Chairman Tommy Dunn is a builder. For more than three decades, as owner of D and H Construction, Dunn built a local residential and light commercial construction business in Anderson County. He also built a reputation as a man involved in community service, with 32 years as a volunteer fireman with Centerville Fire Department, where he has held the office of fire chief and still is active. Dunn also was involved earlier as vice chairman of the Anderson County Fire Commission. Now in his eighth year as the council member representing Anderson County Council District Five—encompassing the western side of Anderson County from Centerville all the way to the Georgia border—including three terms as chairman, Dunn said he initially had to be talked into running for the seat. andersonmagazine.com

“I had some concerned citizens asking me to run just before the deadline for filing,” Dunn said. He said it was a “hard decision” because it meant reducing some of his responsibilities with the fire departments and fire commission. But he added it is not a decision he regrets. “I was taught coming up to help people when I could, and I think I can, serving on county council,” Dunn said. “We can’t always help everybody exactly like they want because some of it is beyond county council’s authority, but we help where we can.” Dunn is most engaged when trying to build relationships between citizens in the county, neighbors, and helping them get the help they need. “The best thing about being on council is we are the ones who live here, and go to church here and people see us around and expect us to help. We try to build bridges with state and national officials where we can, and I believe we have done a good job.” Dunn cited the huge improvement in the county’s economic development while keeping taxes down as among the accomplishments he shared with council members with whom he’s served. But leading and serving on council also presents challenges. Unlike in the business world, government can prove frustrating for a builder who likes to get things done. “The biggest thing I have learned is that sometimes government has its own pace,” Dunn said. “It seems like no matter how long we think something is going to take, it takes longer.” Dunn says though he still enjoys hunting and fishing, much of his rare free time is spent with volunteer fire activities. And even in those rare times away from council chambers and the construction site, he is still taking calls and emails from citizens who need help, are concerned about the county’s future, or both. “We still have a lot of work to do,” Dunn added. “The biggest issue is fixing Anderson County’s roads. That has got to be solved, and if we don’t start in that direction now we will have a real mess down the line. We have to think of moving toward a long-game on solving things like roads, and I think if we do people will support us. “Nobody likes taxes, and we have kept them low, but seeing that we have a plan that does not waste money, [the citizens] would be willing to pay something to take care of our roads.”

January/February 2017

Craig Wooten The youngest member of Anderson County Council has packed a lot of experience and contribution into his 39 years. “I’ve been a part of politics a long time,” Wooten said. “I felt like it was time to step up and do something. When you feel like you have skills and can contribute, you look for ways to make it happen.” Wooten’s wife, Abby, after listening to her husband’s commentary on politics, asked him: “What are you going to do about it?” Craig said running for Anderson County Council District 1 was a way to contribute to the community and be involved in politics while staying in his hometown with his wife and three kids. A seventh-generation Andersonian (his mother, Margaret Wooten, is a well-known professor at Anderson University of more than 40 years), Craig jokes that the family’s long tradition in the county was mostly the result of “not going anywhere.” But while the family has put down deep roots here, Wooten’s job as director of business development and government relations at Tactical Medical Solutions has taken him all over the country. The company, founded in Anderson in 2003, manufactures trauma medical equipment, training solutions and primary medical products for the military, police and other emergency responders, and offers those in critical and dangerous environments ways to save lives. “We have a preparedness culture in society now,” Wooten said. “We get messages all the time from policemen, soldiers, and EMS workers who have used our products to save lives in the field.” In his travels, Wooten, who is an avid runner, says he often gets ideas from the cities and towns he visits while running. “I realize it doesn’t always mean something good will translate to being a good idea here,” he said. “But we do need to regularly be considering what we can do next to make Anderson a better place. “We need vision. We should be looking at where we want Anderson to be in the next five, 10, 20 years.” Wooten said one of the biggest challenges facing a new council member is being able to communicate complicated issues to the public. He said understanding how local government is connected to state and national government is often overlooked. andersonmagazine.com

Craig Wooden is a family man.

“Many things county council is looking to do are subject to approval from state or national entities for funding. Things are not always cut and dried as they might look,” he said, adding that he believes he has the experience to help others see the connections. Wooten said one of the things he learned most while talking to folks during his campaign was the need for citizens to see the difference between an investment in the county’s future and what some people would see as wasteful spending. “That’s going to be the key thing, the challenge, to work with other council members for the good of the county, while serving your individual district. To be effective, we have to have a plan, convince people we know what we’re doing, that we’re watching the money, and ask them to trust our plan.” Between his critical line of work and one of his hobbies, Wooten understands trust. As a licensed scuba diver, he knows the importance of preparation and trust before diving. “Trust is key. It’s easy to get caught up in your bubble and your own perceptions of problems, challenges and even opportunities,” he said. “I want people to know I will listen to anybody. It’s always amazing to me when you talk to people with different interests or backgrounds, sometimes you can learn things you didn’t know.” “I hope I bring a lot to the table, but I don’t know everything, I’m interested in talking to a lot of folks to find practical solutions.” n 13

January/February 2017

Cindy Wilson Cindy Wilson has been working to make things grow her entire life. From her days growing up on the family farm in Anderson County to her past 15 years serving as the council representative from District 7, Wilson has followed seven generations of family members tending to things. A veteran real estate agent, she became involved in politics after Anderson County began plans for a sewer line in the Beaverdam Creek area which was slated to run through her family’s century-old farm. A single mother, Wilson said her election in 2001 was the product of a lot of hard work, phone calls and shoe leather. As a council member, she was unable to stop the project (it was completed in 2007), and maintains she was right about her concerns, since the sewer line has led to a number of issues and had a negative environmental impact on the area. As the second-longest serving member on council, Wil-

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son has a reputation for her meticulous attention to detail. “One of the biggest shocks of going into public service is the volumes of paperwork you receive, and realization of how few people actually read it,” Wilson said. “I think it is critical to read these materials and ask questions to provide good service to the council districts in our county.” And while she said serving on council was a challenge during most of her first decade of service, the experience is far more rewarding today. “We have a good council today, a good group of people,” Wilson said. “We don’t always agree, but we can discuss matters, usually come to some kind of consensus.” She said she is proud of the fact that the current county council had navigated through the worst recession of her lifetime and helped make Anderson County a better place to work and live. “We cut debt service and recruited good industries, and as a result, Anderson County was one of the top 10 counties in the country in economic recovery,” Wilson said. “This team effort, pulling together, has to be the most gratifying and satisfying thing about serving on this council.” Another area of leadership, supporting the work and mission of the T. Ed Garrison Arena, has also been a feather in Wilson’s cap. She said the legacy of for S.C. Sen. T. Ed Garrison has often been overlooked. “He fought Florence, Aiken, Camden, Charleston and others to get the facility on the Clemson property in Anderson County,” she said. “They all wanted it, but Sen. Garrison brought it home.” Today the arena is the only one of its kind in the Southeast (financially) in the black, thanks in large part to the leadership of its director Charles Williams. “Even in the worst of economic times in 2012, Williams led the arena to produce and economic impact of nearly $9 million,” Wilson said. As chairman of the Equine Council, Wilson helps get the word out on the importance of the industries. The equestrian industry’s annual impact on Anderson, Oconee and Pickens County currently tops $63 million. As a result, she said council continues to work to encourage upgrades and expansion at the arena. “It has been a joy to see move forward in our county,” Wilson said. “We have such a wonderful county here.” n

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January/February 2017

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January/February 2017

Chad McBride

is a man on a mission

Recently elected as the new sheriff of Anderson County, McBride has spent most of his life in law enforcement. It is where he learned about the community and his place in it. But running for his first public office was more than the natural progression of a man who had served the county for more than 15 years under three sheriffs. It was a calling. “Anybody out there, no matter what you are pursuing, I think you feel a call,” McBride said. “I believe God designed us all for a purpose. There’s nothing spectacular or special about me. I just worked hard and campaigned and listened to people in Anderson County.” Even though he had prayed about seeking the office for more than two years, he said he also listened to his wife, Leanne, who at first was against his goal of becoming sheriff. “She was not on board at first,” McBride said. “But then she came and said she’d prayed about it, too, and felt like it was something I needed to do.” He said he learned a lot about the process of politics in his first campaign. “It is not easy,” McBride said. “It’s very tedious, very challenging work. It was a lot of long days, long nights, time away from family. I think I wore several soles off several pairs of boots in the process.” After easily wining the primary and running unopposed in the general election, he spent most of the second half of 2016 making plans for reorganization and restructuring andersonmagazine.com

within the Anderson County Sheriff ’s Office. “Having worked in the sheriff ’s office for so many years, I already had a pretty good idea of what could be done,” McBride said. “Along with a lot of the other officers with 15 to 20 years in the department, I felt like we could have an impact on crime in Anderson County.” He identified three major areas his administration plans to tackle in the first year: combatting drugs, reducing property crimes and putting more officers on the streets.

“But we are here because we are called to be here. We want to work hard for people, I hope that’s the way people remember me and my team.” “Almost every crime we face in Anderson County is in some way drug related,” McBride said. “We believe if we can put a dent in the street-level dope dealer, we can be more successful dealing with a lot of the other problems.” January/February 2017

He said under his administration the sheriff ’s office will reorganize to allow more officers to serve on the street. His “more boots on the ground” is a move away from the former administration, which he called “top heavy.” “We’re going to target the street-level dealers,” McBride said. “It’s a terrible problem in Anderson County, and in the past, there have only been a few officers working on the county’s biggest problem. The county’s biggest problem cannot be fixed by a few officers.” McBride is increasing the size of the narcotics unit from six to 20, coordinating the reorganization of several divisions to accomplish this move. He is also putting more boots on the ground across the county every day. “Once we fill all our positions, we plan to have 20 to 22 deputies on each shift,” McBride said. He also wants the community to be kept informed on how the Anderson County Sheriff ’s Office is making changes to better serve the community. McBride plans an extensive use of social media, the website, participation in a variety of community groups and hosting town halls to share progress on each of his benchmarks for improvement. “Our work is important. I live here, my family lives here, I am very concerned about the direction Anderson County is going, whether it’s economic development or improving

crime statistics,” McBride said. “It all concerns me, and I love to serve the community as a result.” But above all is family. McBride’s wife and three daughters, his self-described “house full of ladies,” is his priority. “Family comes first,” McBride said. “I can’t be a good sheriff if I can’t be a good father and husband, so those priorities certainly come first. The community is important to me because of my wife and daughters. They are my drive.” He hopes he will be remembered as a sheriff who worked hard and was committed to his family, faith and community. “I hope people will look back and say I served our community as best he could, that I gave it everything I had,” McBride said. “Law enforcement is an interesting line of work these days, and it’s very dangerous. To have men and women willing to go and police our communities every day and not know if somebody is going to walk up to them on a traffic stop and kill them, it’s a risky business. “But we are here because we are called to be here. We want to work hard for people, I hope that’s the way people remember me and my team.” n

Full Service. Full of History.

Years

For nearly 56 years, Perx Car Wash has been keeping the automobiles of Anderson County clean and shiny. It was opened in 1961 by C.A. and Jean Perkins who moved to Anderson from Detroit, Michigan. Mr. Perkins’ father had owned a car wash in Detroit, and C.A. and Jean decided to move south to escape the Michigan winters. Perx Car Wash was among one of the first conveyor car washes in the state. It has entertained many children who have watched through the window as the cars pass through the suds, just as their parents did when they were children. It has become a gathering place for friends to visit as their cars are washed. And it has offered hundreds of jobs to individuals in the community, donated thousands of free washes for charitable events, and has become a historical part of the fabric of our business community.

611 N. McDuffie St • Anderson • 864-226-7122 Mon-Sat 8:30 am – 5:30 pm / Closed 11:30 am-Noon

Your LOCALLY owned and operated andersonmagazine.com 17 January/February 2017 FULL SERVICE car wash SINCE 1961.

Education

Program helps high-risk students graduate, succeed By Liz Carey

For more than 80 students from Anderson School District Five, a national program is helping them not only graduate, but succeed after graduation. The program, called JAG for Jobs for America’s Graduates, helps high-risk students overcome any barriers they may have to graduate, and to succeed either in the military, college or their jobs after high school. Anderson School District Five is the only school district in Anderson County to implement the program, a national one operated at the state level. And its results are exceeding the national average. “Since 2014, every student who has been a part of the JAG program has graduated high school on time. Each graduate has also had positive outcomes one year past graduation,” said Melody Lollis, a jobs specialist at Westside High School in Anderson. Westside and T.L. Hanna have received the national recognition of “5 of 5.” Both high schools were recognized at the National JAG Conference in Orlando, Florida in July 2016. “5 of 5” is given to programs that reach high standards for graduation, post-graduation employment, and post-secondary educational enrollment. Students for the program are recruited in the eighth grade, and encouraged to take the JAG elective course throughout their high school career. Those eligible are identified by any barriers to graduation they may have – such as poor academic standings, repeating a grade level, having one or more parents who never finished high school and, surprisingly, being an adolescent male. Once in the program, the students are taught career-related skills like resume writing, job interviewing, verbal and written communication, team leadership and computer skills. Through partnerships with businesses in the district, the school system is able to make the program work, and work well, said Tom Wilson, superintendent for Anderson Five. “The JAG Program helps students succeed after leaving our schools, and it also holds us accountable for what they do after graduation,” Wilson said. “Local businesses and industry are vital to a successful JAG program, and we are fortunate to have support from local leaders in our community.” Graduating qualified students who can enter the work force is the goal the district has for all students, Lollis said. andersonmagazine.com

JAG students recognized for their success.

“Ultimately, as job specialists, our goal is to support our high school youth who are at greatest risk to overcome barriers to graduation from high school and to become citizens who are college- and career-ready,” she said. “Anderson School District Five has now started a College and Career Readiness course. This course incorporates many JAG strategies that are helpful to students as they enter college and/or a career path.” In February, six to 10 students from the program will travel to Washington, D. C., for the National Student Leadership Academy. These students are selected based on their participation in career focused activities and leadership potential. n

JAG students at a leadership conference.

January/February 2017

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fir ever fi er fir s ver fi er fir s ver fi er fir s ver fir er fir s ver fir r fir s t er fir s r fir s t er fir s r fir s t er fir s r fir s t v e e e v v e e v v e r v e e v r v e o r e r s t f o t f o r e r s t f o t f o r e s t f o r t f o r e s t f o r f o r e t f o r f o r e v t f o r e f o r e v t f o r e f o r ev t f o r e f o r ev f o r e v s f t r t s t s r t s s t fi r s s t s fi r r t s s fi r r s r fi r s r s r fi r r s r r fi fi r r fi fi r fi r fi r fi e r ver foreve rever oreve rever oreve rever reve ever fi rever ever fi rever ever fi rever ver fi ever fi ver fi ev e r e r o f r e r o r f o o o for rst for t fo t fo f or rst t fo r s t f t fo st f t fo rst t fo st f t fo st f er fi er fir ever fi er fir s ver fi er fir s ver fi er fir s ver fir er fir s ver fir r fir s t er fir s r fir s t er fir s r fir s t er fir s r fir s v e e v v e e v v e r v e e v r v e v e r o r r s t f o t f o r e r s t f o t f o r e s t f o t f o r e s t f o r f o r e t f o r f o r e t f o r e f o r ev t f o r e f o r e v t f o r e f o r e v f o r s t r t s t s r er fi er fir ever fi er fir s ver fi er fir s ver fi er fir s ver fir er fir s ver fir r fir s t er fir s r fir s t er fir s r fir s t er fir s r fi v e e v v e e v v e r v e v r v e v e r v e e r v e e v r o e r e e r o r e r r o f e r r e o r f e e f r o f o o o f or rst f or t fo t fo for rst t fo r s t f t fo st f t fo rst t st f t fo st f er fi er fir ever fi er fir s ver fi er fir s ver fi er fir s ver fir er fir s ver fir r fir s t er fir s r fir s t er fir s r fir s t er fir s v e e v v e e v v e o r e r s t f o r t f o r e r s t f o r t f o r e s t f o r t f o r ev s t f o r e f o r ev t f o r e f o r e v t f o r e f o r e v t f o r e f o r ev t f o r e v f o r e v e s t r s t s r er fi er fir ever fi er fir s ver fi er fir s ver fi er fir s ver fir er fir s ver fir r fir s t er fir s r fir s t er fir s r fir s t er fir s v e v e v r v e r v e ve e r e r e v r o e r e r ev o r e r rev o eve f r rev eve o f r o r s t r s t fo fir s t r s t fo fir s t f r s t fo fir s t f r s t fo fir s t fo r s t for r s t fo s t for r s t fo s t for r s t fo s t fore fi r r r fi fi r r fi fi r fi r fi fi e r fi fi e fi r r fi e r r fi e r r r e r v r e r v e v e e e e v v e e ve ve er ev ve ve er o r e r s t f o r t f o r e r s t f o r t f o r e s t f o r t f o r e v s t f o r e f o r e v t f o r e f o r ev t f o r e f o r e v t f o r e f o r e v t f o r e v f o r s t r s t s r er fi er fir ever fi er fir s ver fi er fir s ver fi er fir s ver fir er fir s ver fir r fir s t er fir s r fir s t er fir s r fir s t e v e e v v e e v v e o r e r s t f o r t f o r e r s t f o r t f o r e s t f o r t f o r e v s t f o r e f o r ev t f o r e f o r e v t f o r e f o r e v t f o r e f o r e v t f o r e v f s t r s t s r t s s fi r s s r fi r s fi r r s r fi s t r fir s fir s t r r fi r r r fi fi r r fi fi fi r fi e r fi e r fi r fi e r r e r r e v r e r v e r e v e e e v v e e v ve e ev ve ve er o r e r s t f o r t f o r e r s t f o r t f o r e s t f o r t f o r ev s t f o r e f o r e v t f o r e f o r e v t f o r e f o r e v t f o r e f o r e v t f o r e v s t r s t s r t er fi er fir ever fi er fir s ver fi er fir s ver fi er fir s ver fir er fir s ver fir r fir s er fir s r fir s t er fir s r fir s v e e v v e e v v e ore r s t f or t f ore r s t f or t f ore s t f or t f orev s t f ore f orev t f ore f orev t f ore f orev t f ore f orev t f or s t r s t s r t s s t fi r s s fi r r s fi r r s r fi r s r r fi r r r fi fi r r fi fi fi r fi s r fi e ver er fi eve ver • jwalker4921@gmail.com er fi ver ver 864.221.5535 er fi ver eve ver er fi ver eve e ore r s t f or t f ore r s t for t f ore s t f or t f orev s t f ore f orev t f ore f orev t f ore f orev t fore f orev t f s t r s t s r er fi er fir ever fi er fir s ver fi er fir s ver fi er fir s ver fir er fir s ver fir r fir s t er fir s r fir s t er fir s v e v rev ore forev t fore 2017 rev eve rev eve ore rev ore rev ore r s t for t fore r19 andersonmagazine.com s t f January/February t t fo fir s t f r s t fo fir s t f r s t fo fir s t fo r s t for r s t fo s t for r s rs s s fi s fi r fi r r r r fi r r fi fi fi r fi fi e r ver foreve rever oreve rever oreve rever reve ever fi rever ever fi rever ever fi rever v r f ore r o fo re o t o fo o tf fo or

People first.

Community first. Forever First. firstcitizens.com

Anderson’s #1 Team FOR 2015

864-241-8133

“Committed To Excellence”

Anderson Five ~ District Accredited

864-260-5000

400 Pearman Dairy Road 400 Pearman Road Anderson, SC Dairy 29625

Anderson, SC 29625 "Committed www.anderson5.net www.anderson5.net to Excellence"

Project SEARCH It was a Monday morning earlier this fall as Mark and I were carting all of our equipment through the halls of AnMed Health downtown. We were searching for the perfect location to interview a group of interns. It was their first day at AnMed Health. As we found the perfect spot, we began setting up the room with the perfect lighting and enough depth so the interview would look great on camera. The interview is more than just a question and answer session captured on-camera, it is a conversation built upon trust and comfort. Most people who have never been interviewed on camera for the first time are usually nervous. It is hard not to be nervous with lights, cameras, and microphones surrounding you and then having to articulate the perfect response. That is why building a relationship with the person you are interviewing is a crucial part of this process. The first sets of interview questions are warm-up, allowing the interview subject to settle in for a conversation, not an interview. The goal is to help them forget the camera is there, the microphone is turned on, and the lights are shining. Today, we were interviewing five Westside High School students who will be interns this school year, each of them working inside AnMed Health serving many different roles. Yes, they were nervous as they sat down for their first on-camera interview, but our conversations left an impactful feeling of hope and amazement. I was so proud of each of these interns. I learned so much! This internship program is called Project SEARCH, a collaboration between AnMed Health and Anderson School District Five. Each one of these students has a disability, but we like to use the phrase “different ability.” All five of these students have a unique, different ability with a huge opportunity to serve as interns at AnMed Health and potentially get a job. “Project SEARCH will allow us to do a couple of things. We’ll be able to be a good steward of that process for our organization, and we’ll also perhaps give young

people an opportunity to transition from school to work, who may not have thought that that would be an opportunity for them previously,” said Juana Slade, AnMed Health director, diversity and language services. Gray Digital Group partnered with AnMed Health to document this opportunity and share it with the Anderson community. It is important to capture their thoughts, their progress, their milestones, and the excitement that surrounded these interns. Each one of them are bright, funny, determined, and dedicated to the work. This is evident in the pictures and video shared on Instagram. Just follow @AnMedHealth_Together and you will find some amazing stories. “AnMed Health has a long history of community involvement and partnership. In addition to our responsibility for the health care of this community, we feel a deep commitment to the economic and social well-being of the area,” said Kari Lutz, AnMed Health director, marketing communications. “Project Search is one of the most recent examples of that commitment. It’s a win-win in that it not only creates an opportunity for special needs students to gain experience and support in joining the workforce, but it also helps us make our own workforce more inclusive. We think it’s important for the community to be aware of the positive impact that AnMed Health is making not only from a community health standpoint, but also in terms of the local economic and social environment.” Aron, Dillon, La-Keisha, Libby, and Trenton have a story to tell. It is their stories that are creating a tremendous impact on the Anderson community. We have so much to learn from them. It is my belief that together we can make a difference!

Bobby Rettew is the chief storyteller for Gray Digital Group, a digital communications agency with offices in San Antonio and Austin, Texas along with the South Carolina office here in Anderson. Bobby grew up in the upstate of South Carolina and currently lives with his wife Sarah and daughter Rose in Anderson. andersonmagazine.com

January/February 2017

“I take responsibility for the lyrics I sing. Children are listening to them.”

by Jay Wright Soon after moving to Anderson, I began to hear locals speak of Loretta Holloway. I heard her referred to as “South Carolina’s First Lady of Song.” Then I read in December 2011 that the Anderson County Council had passed Resolution R2011-054 honoring Loretta Holloway as an Anderson County Treasure. The resolution praised her “for her selfless work with charities” and extended “its best wishes for continued success in her career as she mesmerizes her audiences with her smooth and powerful voice . . .” As a life-long music and music history lover, my full attention turned to this Belton resident. Digging deeper, I learned she had been named one of South Carolina’s “Women of Substance” for continuously lending her time and talents to charity organizations, including the Belton Interfaith Ministries Association, the Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Upstate, Hospice of the Upstate, andersonmagazine.com

World AIDS Day, AFAN (AIDS awareness programs in Las Vegas), Compass of the Carolinas, and Golden Rainbow. In the music world, Loretta has become known as much for her charm and warm elegance as for her captivating voice. A voice that was voted “Best Jazz Singer in Chicago” by the Chicago Sun Times. A voice good enough to open in Las Vegas and Atlantic City showrooms for headliners Don Rickles, Jay Leno, Whoopi Goldberg, Rich Little, Garry Shandling, and Jerry Lewis. A voice good enough to sing the National Anthem in major boxing arenas for champions Mike Tyson, Larry Holmes, and Oscar De La Hoya. I caught up with Loretta recently. We talked about a career that has taken her to many showrooms and stages, not only in this country, but also in Australia, Thailand, China, Egypt, Russia, and Japan. Yet she has never 22

January/February 2017

stopped helping and sharing with others in Anderson County and the Upstate. The longer we talked, the more it became apparent why our hometown lady is regarded as more than just a great singer. Though Loretta has been presented to Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip in a Royal Command performance, she speaks just as glowingly and humbly about performing in Pendleton, Greenville, or Anderson. About being included as one of 25 Notable African Americans from South Carolina in 2013. About being voted “Jazz Artist of the Year” in 2015 by the South Carolina Music Awards. Loretta talked of also feeling at home on a theatrical stage and a movie set. She starred in an off-Broadway production of “Mama, I Want To Sing II.” Her movie credits include “Black Jack,” “Pure Country,” and “Elvis and Me.” Her most recent role is in “Clipped Wings, They Do Fly,” a movie dealing with understanding and dispelling the stigmas of multiple personalities and schizophrenia. I asked her about who stands out among the many celebrities she has worked with professionally and come to know. Her answer made it clear to me why she has enjoyed such success in a very competitive industry. It also explained why she has been so highly regarded and honored by those who know her best – her friends and fans in Anderson County and across South Carolina. “I really can’t single out one or two,” she said. “They have all treated me warmly and with respect. And I must give credit to Skipp Pearson, my first musical mentor. He’s South Carolina’s Official Jazz Ambassador. He introduced me to the music and stylings of Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, and Sarah Vaughn. He helped me understand and love jazz. “I’ve always thought of myself as a professional and an artist. Image is everything to me. I show it in the way I dress, how I carry myself, and the words I use. I have a responsibility to present myself in a positive manner. The lyrics I sing and a song’s message must be positive. That’s important, because people are always watching – especially children and young talent. “When I’m performing, everyone can tell how much I enjoy what I do. It shows, and I have a great sense of humor, too. I don’t just sing to an audience – I laugh with them and talk with them. I love that feeling, that connection. It’s an enriching, uplifting experience for all of us.” At this point, Loretta’s eyes kept their sparkle and her mouth kept its smile, but her tone became soft and serious. “I love jazz. I love the decency of its classic lyrics. And I enjoy making people happy. After a show, I want my audience to feel completely entertained. And I want to leave them with the impression that – like my songs – I was elegant, sophisticated, intelligent, and tasteful.” First Lady of Song? Absolutely. n andersonmagazine.com

January/February 2017

and The Listening Room on Main

Thread Heads Quilt Show January 13-February 17, 2017 Opening Reception January 13 ,7:00-9:00

Loretta Holloway

South Carolina’s First Lady of Song Presents “A Valentine’s Special”

February 11, 2017 8:00-9:30 PM • $20 Per Person Reservations Required

306 City Square Belton, SC

864-338-8556 www.beltonsc.com

Enjoy the sites & sounds

in Belton

January & February

Online auction fundraiser. Call the museum for more information.

Jan 29 - “Wheels on Fire” exhibit now thru April 8

Historic Train Depot Rental -

perfect for weddings, receptions, rehearsal dinners Only $400 for a full day, which includes use of tables, chairs and heat-up kitchen.

Support the Museum Become a Member today

beltonmuseum@bellsouth.net • beltonsc.com 100 N. Main St. • Belton, SC 864-338-7400

Saving Energy is a Business Investment What if there was an investment that you could make that would greatly reduce, or even ELIMINATE the high cost of electricity for your home or business? That would be a smart investment to make and now it is not only possible, it is AFFORDABLE! At Palmetto Solar Solutions LLC in Iva, SC, we specialize in residential and commercial solar systems that will help offset your electric bill for the next 25+ years! Plus, we can help you understand all of the special incentives and tax credits that are available in our area, so that you are sure to get the most out of your money. We are a local company and we take pride in every job we do. If you get a chance to drive by Carolina Eye Care in Anderson, you can see our panels at work! We are your LOCAL, one stop solar shop and handle your entire project from financing options through final inspections and utility integration. NOW is the time to have your panels installed! Some of the current incentives are set to expire as soon as March 2017!

Call today for your FREE SOLAR ASSESSMENT

Dawn Small, Energy Consultant dawnMsmall@gmail.com

PalmettoSolarSolutions.com 1.800.995.1699

FOCUS ON THE FUN STUFF WE’LL TAKE CARE OF THE REST. Marchbanks’ beautiful & spacious community offers every opportunity for a rich, engaging lifestyle without the headaches associated with running a household. We take care of tasks like cooking and cleaning and provide the additional care and support you need so you can focus on what matters most: living your best life every day. Ready to get busy living YOUR best life? Call our Executive Director Cynthia Sweney at 864.231.7786 to learn more.

INDEPENDENCE WHEN YOU WANT IT, ASSISTANCE WHEN YOU NEED IT.

2203 Marchbanks Avenue • (864) 231-7786 • www.MarchbanksAL.com

Happy 60th Wedding AnniversaryPEOPLE Richard & Evie Mazurak! We are so happy you call The Legacy home!

Call Christy Tripp today to schedule a visit, and be sure to ask about their all day dining menu!

864-276-3501

www.legacyofandersonseniorliving.com andersonmagazine.com

January/February 2017

Diet, Exercise and Lasers?

before

By Lisa Marie Carter Sometimes working out and eating right doesn’t completely reduce those problem areas, then what? Liposuction used to be the only solution for fat reduction. Traditional Liposuction (Tumescent) is done under local anesthetic that numbs the area of the body where the tube will be inserted. A large amount of anesthetic solution containing lidocaine and epinephrine is then injected into the fatty tissue before tumescent liposuction is performed. These days we have several, less invasive options available to help out with those stubborn fat pockets. A few things to keep in mind before moving forward with any procedures…First and foremost, research your options and your doctors carefully. Next, be sure you set realistic expectations. In other words, don’t expect a procedure of any type to solve everything. Allow ample time to see results, don’t plan to go in on Monday and look two sizes smaller by Tuesday. Weigh (no pun intended) your options carefully and look at the pros and the cons before making your decision. Finally, and most importantly, do this for the right reasons, for you and you alone. We started the research process for you and have some information on three different types of fat reduction options that you might be considering. Laser Lipo - The ideal candidates for laser lipo, such as SmartLipo, are people who are at or near their ideal body weight, patients who have no underlying health problems, and those who have dieted and exercised with minimal results. SmartLipo uses a laser probe that targets fatty tissue. This laser gives off an energy that is applied to the targeted area and liquefies the fat cells, turning them into an oily fluid. SmartLipo is intended to treat specific locations of fat on the body such as the waist, hips, inner thighs and outer thighs. Smart Lipo technology melts the fat cells giving you a smoother and more sculpted body. There are many benefits to SmartLipo treatment including the stimulation of collagen growth from the laser energy as well as the skin tightening application. Bruising is minimal with Smart Lipo. There are also no hospital visits; the entire procedure can be performed in office. Usually patients can return to normal activity within one to two days. Results can be seen usually within a week and continue to improve over three to six months. The cost of SmartLipo is also considerably less than traditional or tumescent liposuction. CoolSculpting - This procedure destroys fat cells without andersonmagazine.com

after CoolSculpting before & after

before after invasive surgery. Unlike Smartlipo that uses the heat of a laser to get rid of fat, you can freeze the fat and let your body naturally get rid of the fat cells. Candy Luther Landers, Aesthetician, with Plastic Surgery Associates explains the CoolSculpting process. “The procedure safely delivers precisely controlled cooling to gently and effectively target the fat cells underneath the January/February 2017

NLAL™ is a method of body contouring improvement with essentially no side effects. The paddles are comfortably applied to the treatment area while the client undertakes a simple 20-minute exercise routine. As the light therapy triggers the fat cells to release the triglycerides and fatty acids, they are utilized during the exercise process and inch loss is the result. NLAL™ is the only portable light therapy system that affords the client less time spent in treatment, as the therapy and exercise are done concurrently. This procedure is typically the least expensive of the options. As always check with your own physician before considering any procedure. n

skin. Treated fat cells are crystalized (frozen), then die. Over time, your body naturally processes the fat and eliminates these dead cells, leaving a more sculpted you,” she said. The CoolSculpting fat-freezing procedure is the only FDA-cleared,*non-surgical fat-reduction treatment that uses controlled cooling to permanently eliminate stubborn fat that resists all efforts through diet and exercise. The results are proven, noticeable, and lasting. The CoolSculpting procedure is beneficial for love handles, back fat, bra-strap fat, upper arms, upper and lower abdomen, inner thighs, lower buttock and male breasts. In addition to the benefits such as no scalpels needed, the procedure does not damage the skin, therefore there are significantly less risks than with a surgical procedure. Landers points out with Coolsculpting, there is no recovery time, no anesthesia, no pain or discomfort, and almost no risks. Near Laser Assisted Lipo (NLAL™) is the safe and simple evolution of standard liposuction. It is Advanced Slimming Technology for noninvasive body contouring that can deliver immediate results. Dr. William Scott performs this procedure that uses the power of the latest cold LED Light Therapy. NLAL™ is specifically targeted on the abdomen, waist, back, hips, thighs, upper legs, arms, and even the chin.

SmartLipo

is available locally at Greenville Vein and Body Sculpting – 864-675-9522

CoolSculpting

is available locally at Plastic Surgery Associates in Greenville – 864-295-4160

NLAL

is available locally at Younger Next Year in Powdersville – 864-269-7950

Morningside of Anderson Assisted Living invites residents into our senior living community not just to live with us, but to thrive with us. We provide individualized care services based on the specific needs of our residents. You can taste the Five Star difference with a variety of entrée selections for every meal. Our Lifestyle360 program is a holistic approach to active community living that focuses on five dimensions of wellness: intellectual, social, physical, emotional, and spiritual. These five dimensions empower our residents to live a happier, healthier, well-rounded lifestyle.

Call Hollins today to schedule an appointment

864.964.9088

www.morningsideofanderson.com

P: 864.964.9088 | F: 864.964.9057 • 1304 McLees Road, Anderson, SC 29621

www.morningsideofanderson.com andersonmagazine.com

January/February 2017

Community

ALL are WELCOME! That’s good news! By Johnny McKinney / Pastor, Boulevard Baptist Church

Built of hopes and dreams and visions, rock of faith and vault of grace; here the love of Christ shall end divisions: All are welcome, all are welcome, all are welcome in this place.” “Let us build a house where love can dwell and all can safely live, a place where saints and children tell how hearts learn to forgive. Built of hopes and dreams and visions, rock of faith and vault of grace; here the love of Christ shall end divisions: All are welcome, all are welcome, all are welcome in this place.” These are words of a hymn written by Marty Haugen. For many years, our church family has sung them at the beginning of our worship as gathering words. “All are welcome” has become our mantra at Boulevard as we seek to embrace all those whom God loves. Creating welcome and acceptance for everyone has always been a challenge for followers of Jesus. It seems we’ve had difficulty welcoming the people Jesus welcomed; yet the New Testament is clear that radical hospitality is a virtue Christ-followers are to embody. Jesus often left his contemporaries startled and annoyed at the company he kept. A chief complaint against him by the religious establishment was that “This man andersonmagazine.com

welcomes sinners and eats with them.” (Luke 15:2) And Jesus declared that in welcoming the stranger you have welcomed me. (Matthew 25:35) The charge for Christians and churches in a deeply polarized culture is to figure out how to follow Jesus’ example. In the aftermath of World War I, Quaker relief workers distributed food and clothing to the devastated people of Poland. One relief worker who had served a number of villages, suddenly contracted typhus and died. Only Roman Catholic cemeteries existed and canonical law forbade burying anyone not of that confession in consecrated ground. Their beloved missionary friend was buried in a grave just outside the cemetery. The next morning, however, it was discovered that the villagers had moved the fence during the night so that the cemetery now included the grave. What if we were a community of fence-movers, including more and more within the sacred community formed by God’s love? n 28

January/February 2017

PEOPLE

Free Clinic provides lifeline to Anderson’s needy By Liz Carey

“Their life is too complicated,” Baptista emphasized. “They may live in a home with mold and poor air circulation or heating. Or because of their neighborhood, they may go into their homes and not go out after 6 p.m. because of safety concerns.” The clinic in Anderson is open weekdays, but only sees patients Tuesday through Friday. The clinic is also open the second Saturday of every month. Its satellite office in Honea Path is open on the first and third Tuesday of each month in the evenings, and the third Monday of the month in the

For more than 1,500 Anderson County residents a year, the Anderson Free Clinic is their only hope for health. The Anderson Free Clinic has provided free care to Anderson County’s less fortunate for more than 30 years. Through the volunteer services of doctors, nurses and dentists, the clinic is able to serve the less fortunate in Anderson County and provide them with quality medical and dental care. For Roger King, the Free Clinic is the only thing keeping him alive. Smith lives with his girlfriend in a shed in his brother’s backyard. His applications for Social Security and Medicaid have been filed, but it has been five months and no decision on the application has been made yet. “I take a lot of medicines. I can’t afford them,” King said. “But I can’t afford not to take them either.” Stories like his are common, said Barb Baptista, executive director of the Free Clinic. “Many of our patients come in when their conditions worsen,” she said. “They have real health problems that they ignore because they don’t have insurance.” The clinic has two locations – one in Anderson and one in Honea Path – where the staffs see all kinds of conditions. The most common conditions, Baptista said, are diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, and coronary or pulmonary disease, including asthma and COPD. Many times, she said, the conditions are exacerbated by the poverty the patient lives in. For most patients it is not that simple to follow their health care provider’s basic instructions to “eat healthy foods,” or “exercise daily” and “get better sleep.” andersonmagazine.com

January/February 2017

morning. New patients apply for service on Wednesday mornings in Anderson and on Tuesdays in Honea Path, by appointment. The Free Clinic also has a presence on Main Street in Honea Path with nursing services on Mondays and Wednesdays. The nursing services offer patient care, but do not provide a medical diagnosis or evaluation. The onsite nurses can treat the symptoms, but do not prescribe medication. That service was established through a twoyear grant from the United Way of Anderson County. While the number of patients a day may vary at each location, the need never changes, Baptista said. While its not uncommon for the clinic to have 20-30 patients scheduled for medical or dental care during a day, there will be another 50-60 who walk through the doors of the pharmacy. The clinic averages 15-20 new patients walking in each Wednesday applying for services. And a special women’s health clinic each month is filled to standing room only within minutes of opening the doors, she said. Most patients decide to come to the clinic after occasional trips to the emergency room and find few resources for continued care or medications. “I had to come here,” said Tammie Stewart of Pelzer. “I don’t have any insurance. My husband works, but it would

be $300 a week just to keep me on his insurance. Half of his check already goes to insurance. If I were on it, it would take up the rest.” Stewart was at the clinic to see a dentist about a bad tooth. She waited for more than two hours but her tooth was extracted and she had a return appointment for follow- up care. Most procedures at the dental clinic are extractions, but having the service allows for other problems to be identified and addressed as well. Dr. Gabrielle Cannick of Grand Oaks Dental in Anderson is one of the clinic’s dentists. For the last four years, since

By Jerry McClung

117 Broadbent Way • Anderson, SC 29625 2014 Sierra Pacific Mortgage Company NMLS #1788. Subject to credit approval. Some restrictions may apply. Other programs available. Program conditions subject to change without notice andersonmagazine.com

January/February 2017

moving to Anderson, she has volunteered at the clinic on Fridays. Oral health, she said, is just as important as medical health. And dental exams can provide early warning of other diseases, Dr. Cannick said. “I’ve diagnosed four cases of oral cancer in six months,” she said. “If it hadn’t been for their dental issues, they would never have known that they had oral cancer. Diabetes symptoms also show up in the mouth. The way the clinic works, the dental patients are also treated in the medical clinic, so we can treat the whole patient.” The Free Clinic is primarily funded by donations, Baptista said. Grants, fundraising events and donations from individuals and a few churches make up 82 percent of the organization’s funding. “People give from their heart, but when they give us one dollar, because of the way we work our systems, we are able to provide eight dollars in services,” she said. “There are human beings out there who need care.” n

ake the Finally TEurope Trip to book at Scrap h T h is Fin Funeral Plan My

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2211 N Main Street Anderson, SC 29621 (864) 224-4343 www.mcdougaldfuneralhome.com andersonmagazine.com

January/February 2017

Education

10 Weeks to Success

By Caroline Anneaux

For high school graduates who want to get a step ahead of the crowd when applying for manufacturing jobs, or for men and women looking for a career change, Tri-County Technical College (TCTC) offers an innovative program that may be just what they need. The South Carolina Manufacturing Certification (SCMC) is a 10-week, 200-hour certificate program offered several times a year. Students can receive certificates in five major areas of manufacturing upon successful completion of the program and increase their chances of getting goodpaying job offers here in the Upstate. The tuition for the program is normally $2,000, but there are scholarships available for nearly everyone who applies, due to state funding put into place several years ago. James Humphries is one of the instructors in the SCMC program. He and his brother, Ron, take turns teaching the students classes in safety, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Six Sigma yellow belt (Six Sigma is a set of techniques and tools for process improvement), maintenance awareness, and more. Humphries taught school from 1967 until he retired almost 10 years ago. He took a two-year break, and then began teaching at TCTC when this program was created. “This job is so fulfilling,” said Humphries. “Seeing the students come in, set goals, finish the program, get good jobs and help improve their lives is an incredible feeling. I love what I do. I always have students asking for homework and extra work just so they can study and learn as much as they can during the 200-hour program.” Jane Latimer completed the program during the summer of 2016 and was immediately hired upon graduation at Sealed Air in Simpsonville. Just last year, Latimer was an out-of-work single mom in Anderson. She heard Anderson County Councilwoman Gracie Floyd discussing the SCMC program on a local radio station. Latimer drove over to the Anderson campus the next day, where she happened to meet Rick Cothran, dean of Corporate and Community Education at TCTC. He offered to meet her at the Pendleton campus to help her get the information she needed to get started. Two hours later, she was signed up and ready to start the next session. Latimer is a huge promoter of the program. “There is no reason for people to say there isn’t anything out there to help them find a job,” said Latimer. “This program is designed to give you the skills you need to find a good job quickly. I tell everyone I know about it.” Rodney Judd is another success story for the program. He was a homebuilder with his residential business license for 13 years in Anderson. Ready for a career change, he andersonmagazine.com

Jane Latimer and Rod Judd

closed the doors to his company and decided to go back into manufacturing. He previously worked in a steel plant in the mid-1990s in Iowa. Judd called his friend, Jay Sloan, who is the program manager of mechatronics at TCTC, and asked if there was anything he could do to help pad his resume and get back into the workforce faster. Sloan told him about the certificate program, and Judd signed up for the next session. “I was ready for a change a few years ago when the economy wasn’t doing as well as it had been,” said Judd. “I decided to go back into manufacturing, but my resume was lacking due to being a business owner for 13 years. This sounded like a great opportunity to me, and it was totally free because of the scholarship money.” Judd finished a year ago and had three job offers on the table the week he completed the program. He liked all three offers, but the maintenance job at Kroger in Anderson was the best fit for him. He works full time and was chosen to receive a scholarship in the mechatronics program at TCTC, so he is currently taking classes to complete that program as well. Katie Reeves, instructor/training coordinator, recruits new students for the program. While finding people may not be the easiest task, she loves helping others and takes new students under her wing when they arrive the first day. “On the first day of a new session, the students come in quietly, take a seat and hardly make eye contact with each other,” said Reeves. “By the end of the program, they are like a family. They have learned to work with each other, encourage one another and truly care about each other. I love seeing them blossom over the 10-week program.” Reeves also said that there are scholarships available for up to 25 spots in the January 2017 session. The session will begin January 17th and last for 10 weeks, four hours every morning, Monday through Friday. To register, call 864646-1700. n January/February 2017

January February Events

around Anderson

Jan 1-31 Holiday Ice in Wren Park Downtown Anderson www.downtownandersonsc.com

their own style. The gallery is located at 102-A East Main Street in Pendleton. For more information, visit artgalleryps.org or call 864-221-0129.

Jan 2 DIVA Evolution at Fortitudine Fitness Studio, Anderson Eight weeks of workouts and nutrition classes. Price includes classes, journal, tshirt and weekly coaching. For more info: fortitudine@outlook.com.

Feb 11 Polar Bear Plunge 10 a.m., Portman Marina Help raise money to benefit premature babies with a jump in icy cold Hartwell Lake. For more info: 634-3555 or www.pennies4preemies.com

Jan 13 Art Gallery on Pendleton Square Downtown Pendleton 6-8 p.m., Free. This month Art Gallery on Pendleton Square will feature Co-op member and stained glass artist Vaunda Browning. Enjoy wine, soft drinks, and light refreshments as you learn about how Vaunda creates works of fluidity, movement and warmth from delicate sheets of glass. The gallery is located at 102-A East Main Street in Pendleton. For more information, visit artgalleryps.org or call 864-221-0129.

Local Businesses

in Anderson

Jan 14 Bunco for Charity 2 p.m., Jo Brown Senior Center Enjoy a friendly game of Bunco for $25 entry fee to raise funds for several charities in Anderson County. For more info: 6176216. Feb 3 Black History Black Tie Ball 6 p.m. Hilton Garden Inn, Anderson. This event will be a sit-down dinner, Black Tie Affair with live music and dancing. Guest speaker will be Jil Littlejohn, President/CEO of the Urban League of the Upstate and City Council Member - Mayor Pro-Tem, City of Greenville, SC. During the evening, three awards will be presented to recognize leadership in the African American community. Info: www. unitedwayofanderson.org. Feb 4 AnMed Health Foundation Camellia Ball 8 p.m., The Bleckley Station This black-tie optional event raises funds for the AnMed Health Pediatric Therapy Works Program. Tickets are $150 per person. For more info: 512-1098 or www. anmedhealthfoundation.org.

bookkeeping • payroll personal & business tax service 1211 North Main Street • Anderson SC 29621

864.226.0042

www.westsmallbusiness.com Low cost spay and neuter clinic Anderson County Humane Society P.O. Box 2262 • Anderson, SC (864) 225-9855

Feb 13 Art Gallery on Pendleton Square Downtown Pendleton 6-8 p.m., Free. This month Art Gallery on Pendleton Square will celebrate Valentine’s Day by featuring their jewelry artists. Treat your Valentine to an evening of wine, soft drinks, light refreshments and other Valentine treats as you learn about how each artist created a unique piece of jewelry in

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January/February 2017

Feb 13 Apple Bottom Challenge at Fortitudine Fitness Studio, Anderson Workouts, meal planning, measurements and more. Info: fortitudine@outlook.com Feb 14 AIM Heart for Helping Breakfast 7:30 a.m., Anderson Civic Center Breakfast program to learn about AIM’s hunger ministries and housing & utility assistance programs. For info: 226-2273 or www.aimcharity.org Feb 18 Cancer Association of Anderson Girlfriend’s Tea 2 p.m., Civic Center of Anderson For more info: Carrie at 222-3500 or email carrie@cancerassociationanderson.org

Loretta Holloway: A Valentine’s Special Saturday, February 11 8-9:30 p.m. The Listening Room on Main - Belton $20/person 864-338-8556 South Carolina’s Official First Lady of Song, Loretta Holloway will be performing live at the Listening Room on Main the Saturday night before Valentine’s Day, February 11, 2017. The show begins at 8:00 PM. Tickets are $20 each, and must be purchased at time of reservation. Tickets may be purchased in person or by phone through the Belton Center for the Arts. Please call (864) 338-8556 or visit 306 City Square, Belton, SC.

AnMed Health

A Pathway to Saving Lives: AEDs Enhance AnMed Health’s Exercise Track AnMed Health has installed state-of-the-art emergency equipment on the one-mile exercise path encircling its North Campus. Five automated external defibrillator (AED) stations, equipped with emergency call buttons and portable defibrillators, are located at strategic locations around the exercise track. AEDs are electronic devices that administer an electric shock to the heart to restore normal rhythm during cardiac arrest. Cardiac rehab patients are encouraged to use the North Campus track at AnMed Health, and it is open to the public day and night. Within 18 months in 2011 to 2013, two cardiac arrests occurred at the track, but fortunately both were witnessed by emergency responders who quickly intervened. If these events had occurred in a different location or after hours, the outcomes for those patients could have been different. “It’s not a matter of if another situation occurs, it’s a matter of when,” said Kim Hill, Chest Pain Center coordinator at AnMed Health. “We wanted a way to be better prepared when it does.” Kathy Deloplaine, AnMed Health’s assistant vice president of Cardiovascular Services, already had five AEDs that could be used for the exercise pathway. “I thought it would be easy to put the AEDs around the track, but I quickly realized it wasn’t,” Hill said. “How would we store them, secure them, keep them temperature controlled? How would we contact emergency responders? There were so many things to consider. What I thought would be inexpensive quickly became an expensive project.” Hill, with the help of Deloplaine, requested and received capital funds from AnMed Health. The five pole-like housing units were purchased through Code Blue and featured environmental and communications tools to make the AEDs effective. Each emergency “tower” contains weatherproof, climatecontrolled storage for an AED, an easy to push “emergency” call button to speak to 911 operators and a flashing blue light at the top to help guide emergency responders to the scene. Once the emergency button is pushed, the flashing blue light is activated, and a prerecorded message is sent to a 911 operator indicating which tower is calling and prompts the question, “911, do you need an AED?” If the caller responds yes, the operator presses a number on their keypad which opens the AED cabinet. The operator stays on the line and encourages the caller to take the AED to the victim, open it and follow the instructions. The line remains open in case andersonmagazine.com

further assistance is needed. If the caller does not need an AED, then 911 will go through the regular protocol to determine the nature of the emergency and dispatch police, fire or EMS as needed. In addition, 911 will notify AnMed Health North Campus security of the emergency and the location so additional assistance is provided. When the AED is used, it analyzes the victim for abnormal heart rhythms and a program gives instructions on how to use the defibrillator and perform CPR until emergency responders arrive. After the emergency situation is completed, the AED is checked and cleaned, then returned to its station. According to the American Heart Association, more than 350,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur each year. It can happen to anyone of any age and at any time. During sudden cardiac arrest, the heart’s electrical impulses becomes rapid, chaotic or both, which causes the heart to suddenly stop beating. Every minute a cardiac arrest victim is untreated results in a lower likelihood of restoring a normal heart rhythm, a lower chance of survival, and, most importantly, a lower chance of surviving with a purposeful outcome. If the heart can be shocked quickly with an AED, a normal heart rhythm may be restored. n

AnMed Health employees (l to r) Billy Walker, security technician; Kimberly Hill, Chest Pain Center coordinator; and Kathy Deloplaine, assistant vice president of Cardiovascular Services, were instrumental in the installation of five emergency towers placed in strategic locations along the AnMed Health North Campus walking path.

January/February 2017

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Teens on Track T here are so many good things about Tri-County Technical College’s Technical Career Pathways program that it’s hard to pinpoint which one is best. At the top of the list is free tuition, compliments of the SC General Assembly, who approved funding to cover tuition and related expenses for high school students taking college courses in Technical Career Pathways. “Free college is a big deal–you can’t beat it,” said Phillip Murdock, a senior at Belton-Honea Path High School, who is enrolled in the Mechatronics pathways classes at Anderson 1 and 2 Career and Technology Center. Hunter Fowler, a senior at Palmetto High School, said the best part is getting a head start on college. “After I graduate, I can go to Tri-County for one year, graduate with an associate degree, and get a good job.” “I can be working as a technician by age 19, and that’s a smart decision,” added Phillip. “The Technical Career Pathways Program is the way to go – you gain college credit, as well as hands-on training,” said Nick Colombo, a senior from Wren High School, who is enrolled in the Mechatronics pathways

classes offered at the Career and Technology Center, as well as evening, online, and summer dual enrollment classes. When Nick graduates next May from Wren at age 17, he will enter Tri-County just one semester shy of an associate degree in Mechatronics. “It has cost me nothing,” he said. These Technical Career Pathways students also will earn a credential (Technical Operator I Certificate) from Tri-County before they graduate from high school. Industry leaders tout the program as an answer to finding trained and competent graduates with the skills needed in advanced manufacturing and other STEMrelated careers. Career and Technology Center Director Hollie Harrell says what stands out to her is the program creates, not closes, opportunities for everyone– especially those students who never considered college and are now getting a head start at Tri-County by earning college credits while in high school. There’s a waiting list for all pathways classesWelding, Mechatronics, and Automotive Technologyand it’s because of instructors like Mark Franks, said Harrell. Tri-County instructor Franks teaches juniors

Students enrolled in the Mechatronics pathways classes at Anderson 1 and 2 Career and Technology Center pose with instructor Mark Franks, standing, far left. Pictured from left are (seated) Hunter Fowler, Palmetto High School; Phillip Murdock, Belton-Honea Path High School; Aaron Craine, Powdersville High School; and Nicholas Colombo, Wren High School; and (standing) James Morris, Wren High School; Taylor Butler, Belton-Honea Path High School; Kane Thomason, Palmetto High School; and Bryce Cotton, Powdersville High School. andersonmagazine.com

January/February 2017

He says his biggest achievement was serving as Project Manager in 1992 for thefrom one-million-square-foot and seniors Belton-Honea Path, facility on Liberty Highway. From May 1992 – June 1994, heand was Wren immersed in the new project, calculatPalmetto, Powdersville, ing every item needed for the facility high schools in the Mechatronics based on growth calculations. “Tri-County’sathands-on approach gave me the foundation I needed curriculum the Career and to tackle complicated problems. Through the math and work meaTechnology Center. surement, I had the building blocks to do calculations and be a part of “Mr. Franks is by far one of the best group discussions, said. teachers I have ever” he had, ” said Bryce

Cotton, a senior at Powdersville In 2007 he was named GlenHigh Raven’s Vice President of Operations. School. “He is concerned about He is charged with directing theeach sustainability program for Glen Raven ofglobally. us and treats us like adults, adult He leads the corporate-wide sustainability initiative which college students. Everything inall hisoperations in North America, achieved Landfill-Free Status in classes you for now and France,prepares and China. In 2012 Glenfor Raven received Duke Energy’s Power the future. ” Partners Award for its efforts in energy efficiency, sustainability, and business “He does such a wonderful job growth. Phillip Murdock checks the voltage on a basic that we want him back every year. He electricity “Glen Raven has given me wonderful opportunities, ” saidtrainer. Blackinteracts well with the kids, and he ston. “Years ago, I joined an amazing company, and I’m thankful I could knows how to motivate them and to use my education to work for the greatest company in the world,” he relate to them as individuals. He gives said. a sense of purpose and he has them worked as antoinstructor for Tri-County, serving as an adjunct a trueHecommitment transforming for the Engineering and Harrell. Industrial Technology Division from 1995 these young adults,” said He also first web-based quality classes for the – 2003. “We must keepdeveloped a pipelinethe of young College’s Assurance program. folks readyQuality for jobs in industry, and the only way to do that is through “Teaching was a great sourcethe of relaxation. I taught real-world Technical Pathways program, exercises Career by taking actual data and ”presenting it to the class. Students said Franks. really appreciated this. Teaching made me a better manager. I would do it In just two years Tri-County’s tomorrow if time allowed, ” he said. Technical Career Pathways program Blackston alsoseven is active in his community, serving on the Board has grown from students in of Directors Imagine Anderson, one district tofor114 students from allthe American Heart Association, South Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation Board, Ambassadors Board Taylor Butler, front, and Kane Thomason seven school districts. set up a labUniversity for AC/DC machines. for AnMed Health, the Board of Visitors at Anderson and Each program is unique to each the Industrial Engineering Advisory district and includes pathways for Board at Clemson University. Automotive Technology, Mechatronics, Industrial Electronics, HVAC, and Welding. Meet Students whoSuccessful once were TCTC considering a four-year degree areCounty now looking Other Alumni in Anderson to enroll at Tri-County next fall. “They are realizing that mechatronics is booming in the Upstate and companies are looking for individuals with electrical and mechanical skills – what they learned in these dual enrollment classes,” said Franks. “Students want to be here and want to succeed,” said Harrell. “Mr. Franks has a unique way of creating a community of learners. They have mutual respect for each other and for him. He creates a safe environment where they have a voice. He sets an expectation and challenges them. He forms relationships and is respected and allows them personal responsibility for their learning. He gives second chances when they make mistakes. He really has made a Wallace Cobbs John Woodson Carly Heventhal difference at Anderson 1 and 2 Career and Technology Center. ” Personality, Assistant “This isPrincipal, a family, a team,On-Air ” said Franks. “What one Dixon does affects all of us, just NewinProspect Registered like industry. When youClassic grasp Rock that, 101.1; it changes your attitude Nurse, about learning Elementary School Program Coordinator, AnMed Health and it contributes to your maturity and your success. Their teamwork will translate to their success inMedia futureArts jobs they have in manufacturing.” Production,Tri-County Technical College andersonmagazine.com

January/February 2017

Top 10 Reasons to Attend Tri-County Technical College More than 70 majors Lowest Tuition in Upstate Highest Success Rate among State’s 16 Technical Colleges Ranked in Top 5% Nationally for Successful Transfer Nearly 80% of Students Receive Financial Assistance and Scholarships 19:1 Student-Faculty Ratio Four Campuses to Serve You Selected to Compete for 2017 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence Home to Nationally-Known Bridge to Clemson Program RN, LPN Grads’ NCLEX Scores Exceed State, National Averages

www.tctc.edu 864.646.TCTC (8282)

A Talented Teacher for Talented Students By John Boone

“I tell them I want to build a relationship with their brains,” says Adam Cobb, Anderson School District Two’s first full-time Gifted and Talented elementary school teacher. How he does that is anything but conventional. Cobb, 25, a Pendleton High School and Anderson University honor graduate in just his third year of teaching, readily exhibits his passion for challenging young minds through innovative means. A visit to any of Cobb’s classes, whether at Honea Path, Wright or Belton Elementary School, might reveal his third, fourth or fifth graders doing things such as playing with Rubik’s Cubes, creating video games, or even pushing oranges down the hall with their noses. “I let the students explore. We were doing constant rates and rates of change. My students were pushing oranges down the hall to try to break a world record - if they broke it, what was their constant rate, and if they didn’t, what was their rate of change that caused them not to do it?” Wright Elementary sixth-grader Carson Dyar liked andersonmagazine.com

the project. “It challenged us not only physically, but mentally,” he said. And that’s what Cobb wants. “I want them to see that being smart can be fun. It’s not that you have to be that typical nerd where you have your nose in a book all the time.” A constant refrain from his students is that they like having their brains stretched and their bodies moved. Leigha Fisher, a fourth grader at Belton Elementary, says, “I enjoy GT because it has parts that are a challenge, but at the same time they are fun. I also like GT because we learn at higher levels and it helps us in our regular classes. It allows us to help our friends in our regular classes too.” “It is a privilege to be in this class,” Belton Elementary fifth grader Ashlyn Morrow says. “Other people in the school want to be in this class.” Cobb says that college and career readiness is the goal of his program, with an emphasis on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics), and textJanuary/February 2017

Education dependent analysis, which encourages students to answer questions based on specific evidence found in a reading passage, and demonstrate the ability to interpret the meaning of that evidence. When the novel the class was reading featured a dinosaur, Cobb set up a class Skype call with a paleontologist. He’s using the Rubik’s Cubes to teach all kinds of math skills, from geometry to probability to surface area. Problemsolving skills are tackled when creating a video game, so of course Cobb got the creator of the app the class is using on a Skype call to answer any and all questions. A trip to a DNA lab, job shadowing, and meeting authors of the books they are reading on-site of the setting of the book are just a few of many examples. And remember, these are third through fifth graders. Cobb has organized cross-curricular projects as well. “When we taught immigration, we had an immigration day. Each fifth grade teacher did an activity that taught their standards, but was immigration related. We had the students go through a line and check in like at Ellis Island. I was teaching opinion writing, so I told them they could only have three things in their suitcase and they had to tell me why they were bringing those items in with them. In math, they were working on decimals, so we did a currency

Students use binoculars with a cell phone to experience jumping from a airplane.

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January/February 2017

exchange. In social studies, we were studying American history, so we did the American Citizenship Test. Those things came to life. In standardized testing, immigration had been a low-scoring area in our district for our school; it was the best scoring area after that year.” Cobb has always been driven in the direction of GT. He wasn’t identified early on as gifted, but by fifth grade he knew he wanted, and needed, to be in GT. By the midway point of his fifth grade year he passed the test and got in. “I knew I had found my niche,” Cobb says, “and that translated to, when I started teaching, that they were the type of students I gravitated towards. It was always my goal to challenge those students who were finishing two steps ahead of me. It became somewhat of a game.” It also did not go unnoticed. Administrators appreciated how Cobb, who taught Social Studies and English Language Arts (ELA) motivated his achieving students, noting that not only did they improve, but the rest of the class did as well. So Cobb got his Gifted and Talented endorsement from Charleston Southern University in the summer of 2015 and began teaching fifth grade GT one day a week at Honea Path Elementary that fall. Pleased with the results, District Two Superintendent Dr. Richard Rosenberger, who had been observing Cobb since his student teaching days, felt the time was right to make a move to hire the district’s first full-time GT teacher. “We felt that our elementary students in the GT were simply not getting the best service that was needed,”

Rosenberger said. “Therefore, a pullout program was created with Mr. Cobb traveling to all the elementary sites. We are pleased and excited with the new approaches and energy he is offering to our kids. GT is no longer about projects but about the process of exploring STEM-related concepts. Our students are being challenged not with extra work but with more creative thinking and problemsolving skills. We’re very pleased with the direction of our program and the work Mr. Cobb is providing.” While Anderson’s other four school districts have more established and long-standing GT programs, the three schools in which Cobb teaches his eight classes and 113 students provide their own particular challenges for lesson planning, from class sizes ranging from three to 31 students, to varying degrees of available technology. He also knows that to keep the program fresh, he needs to be vigilant. He studies other programs, scours the internet for new material and methods, and regularly talks to his mentors. Cobb wants to see his students continue challenging themselves, through honors and advanced placement courses in middle school and high school, and, hopefully, right through college. And he is not slowing down his own pursuit of knowledge either. He’s working on his master’s degree in school leadership and administration at Furman University. It’s been said of those who are gifted and talented that they are able to see “the big picture.” Adam Cobb certainly seems to see it. n

Students used math and measurement skills to construct gingerbread houses.

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January/February 2017

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Ball

having a

By Caroline Anneaux

Anderson County is counting on the community to be generous in giving their time and donations to local nonprofit organizations in 2017. Neighbors helping neighbors is a common theme, as Anderson County residents are asked to support families and individuals struggling with an array of problems and challenges. Parties and other special events inject fun into the fund-raising! Here is a list of some of the events scheduled this winter.

Bunco for Charity Party

Mardi Gras

Saturday, January 14 2:00 p.m. at the Jo Brown Senior Center Contact: Beth @ 617-6216

Friday, March 3 7:00 p.m. at the Anderson Civic Center Contact: Laurie @ 225-6800

Get ready to roll some dice and help raise money for AIM, Meals on Wheels, the American Red Cross, the Jo Brown Senior Center and the Cancer Association of Anderson. You get a seat at the Bunco table for $25, where you can win prizes, get admission to the silent auction, make a donation to the charities and enjoy light refreshments. No experience necessary to play Bunco -- you just have to throw the dice! Twenty dollars of the admission price is tax-deductible, and your money will stay local -- divided among the five charities and service projects of Altrusa International of Anderson.

in The Electric City

Camellia Ball

Saturday, February 4 8:00 p.m. at The Bleckley Station Contact: Tonia @ 512-1098

Meals on Wheels-Anderson is sponsoring a fun-filled evening in the spirit of Mardi Gras to help raise money to provide daily hot meals Monday through Friday (and frozen meals for weekends upon request) to homebound, elderly and disabled Anderson County residents. Meals on Wheels-Anderson is not funded with state or federal money. This organization solely depends on your financial support to provide 400 meals that are lovingly prepped, cooked and delivered by a very small staff and a group of 450 volunteers. Tickets for the Mardi Gras charity event cost $35 and include great food from area restaurants, cold drinks, a live band for dancing and a silent auction. Sponsor tables are available for $350. Put your beads on, and come out to support Meals on WheelsAnderson.

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The AnMed Health Foundation is gearing up for the 23rd year of raising money for the AnMed Health Pediatric Therapy Works program. The program helps children with developmental issues and physical limitations through a variety of occupational, speech and physical therapies. With over $1 million raised over the years, the Camellia Ball is ready to party and raise more money thanks to the generous sponsors and donors. This yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ball will be held at the new Bleckley Station on South Main Street. The theme is Midnight in Paris and the cost is $150 per ticket. Dress up and come to the ball for an evening of delicious food and drinks provided by local businesses and entertainment by The Root Doctors.

January/February 2017

Girlfriend’s Tea Saturday, February 18

Polar Bear Plunge

Saturday, February 11 10 a.m. at Portman Marina Contact: Grace @ 634-3555

2:00 p.m. at the Anderson Civic Center Contact: Carrie @ 222-3500

Join over 100 of your friends, coworkers and family in raising money for Pennies 4 Preemies by jumping into Lake Hartwell in one of the coldest months of the year! Pennies 4 Preemies is a local, non-profit organization started by Grace Cromer. She was born premature, weighing only one pound. In 2014, at age 15, she began to raise money for parents of preemies to help offset the cost of medical bills and equipment not covered by insurance. Participants may jump individually or in teams of four. Grace is also looking for celebrity jumpers and business or family sponsors this year. You should bring your own towel, but warm changing rooms are available. Prizes will be offered for the best costumes, biggest jump and more. Even if you do not plan to jump, please come out and watch!

Heart for Helping Breakfast

Wednesday, February 15 7:30 a.m. at the Anderson Civic Center Contact: Amy @ 226-2273 AIM is excited to host its first Heart for Helping Breakfast this year to benefit its hunger ministries and housing and utilities assistance programs. This will be a way to show the community how AIM depends on them for their time, talent and donations to support fellow neighbors in need. Come out to eat breakfast, watch a video of success stories and see how your help can make a difference in AIM’s ministry.

Greater Vision Benefit Concert Friday, March 10 6:30 p.m. at Concord Baptist Church Contact: Katie @ 226-6193 ext. 102

Haven of Rest has been on a mission since 1960 to change lives by offering Biblical hope and healing to men and women in need. The Haven’s goal is to help men and women who struggle with life-dominating problems, such as addiction and homelessness, by equipping them to become productive men and women in the community. Haven of Rest is inviting the community to the highly attended, annual Greater Vision Benefit Concert this March at Concord Baptist Church. The Southern Gospel concert will raise money for their men’s and women’s residential programs. Tickets are $15 each and there are sponsorship opportunities that include reserved seating, a light supper before the concert and eight tickets to share with guests. andersonmagazine.com

It’s almost tea time! The Cancer Association of Anderson has moved to the Civic Center for its 13th annual Girlfriend’s Tea and hopes to have between 50 and 60 tables of eight this year. CAA is Anderson County’s only local cancer charity, assisting people with cancer and their families financially as well as with emotional support and information and referral. It receives no federal or state funds and is not affiliated with the American Cancer Society. Get your favorite girlfriends together and host a table for $200. You and your friends will come up with a theme and decorate your own table from 9:00 a.m. to noon that morning. The CAA will provide the refreshments and entertainment -- which includes the men of Cruz Control barbershop quartet, a motivational speaker and a live auction with fabulous prizes donated by local businesses.

ALL IN Dinner and Silent Auction Wednesday, April 26 The Bleckley Station, time to be announced Contact: Amy @ 226-2273

This is a huge annual fundraiser for AIM. Last year, a soldout crowd of 400 attendees raised $57,000 for the charity, whose mission is to give Anderson County residents in need a “hand up, not a hand out.” This year they plan to have a guest speaker from the Clemson University football team, a silent auction with over 100 items and a great video about the history of Clemson football. Get your tickets before they sell out! 43

January/February 2017

Power of the Purse Thursday, March 23

Over 150 women came out last year for the event hosted by the Women’s Leadership Council of the United Way of Anderson and this year they anticipate an even greater number to attend their 13th annual charity event. Held at the new Bleckley Station, this girls’ night out will include silent and live auctions, beer, wine and heavy hors d’oeuvres. All proceeds from the purse auctions stay local and will benefit teen pregnancy prevention programs in all Anderson county middle schools. Tickets cost $35 and include a $5 Belk Charity Day coupon. n

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January/February 2017

Business

Mastering the Financial Puzzle By April Cameron

When putting together a puzzle, you have to look at it from several angles. Each piece is masterfully crafted to be placed in just the right position, but it can sometimes be tricky knowing where the pieces go. It often takes a creative thinker who pays attention to each detail to ensure all the pieces fall into the perfect place to create the desired picture. That’s how Wagner Wealth Management approaches each relationship with their clients. “Our advice is completely customized for each individual,” said Dan Wagner, President of the company. “There are many important pieces to a client’s financial picture, and it is critical that the strategies we implement are in line with the needs and objectives of what the client is trying to accomplish.” Wagner Wealth Management was established in Anderson over 10 years ago and has grown to now include branches in Greenville, Seneca, Hendersonville, and Atlanta. With 11 licensed Advisors across the footprint of the company, Wagner’s business model is unique in the financial industry. “We’re definitely top-heavy with Advisors,” said Wagner. “We’re predominately Advisors with minimal staff. We are able to collaborate as a team and bring multiple resources and expertise to the table to address any need or goal that a client may have.” Clients are both individuals and companies who are seeking a local, independent planning firm that offers smart, creative and well-thought out investment strategies. “We’re uniquely skilled to address every facet of a business owner’s financial situation, which is often very complex” said Wagner. He, himself, has 21 years of prior experience in investments and wealth management. Jennifer Osgood, a Financial Advisor in the Anderson location, has more than 12 years of experience in banking and finance. Jordan Whitacre is a Financial Advisor and firm research analyst, and Jeff Herman rounds out the Anderson office as the Chief Operating Officer. “We know how to position assets and liquidity needs to maximize cash flow. We will question if there is a more tax efficient way you could have made money. We are also heavily involved in the succession planning process to assist business owners with a future sale or ownership transfer” said Wagner. The same innovative approach is taken when looking at an individual’s personal investments and wealth transfer strategies. “Many times, people invest first and plan later,” said Osgood. “Identifying goals and implementing a plan to andersonmagazine.com

reach them should be the first step in the process. There are so many other pieces that are important to consider in long term planning including insurance, retirement and estate planning. ” And Wagner Wealth Management keeps a watchful eye on clients once the planning process has begun. “We’re proactive. Things change in the economy. We have to ensure our clients’ goals are being met and work strategically should the path to those goals need to change,” Wagner said. In addition to working diligently for their clients, Wagner Wealth Management is dedicated to the community in which they began their business. “Anderson is our branch home,” said Wagner. “We love this community and have a commitment to its success.” Osgood in particular stays involved by volunteering and serving in Board roles, including at Foothills Alliance and on the Leadership Anderson Board of Regents. “Just as a financial plan has many important pieces, so does our connection to the community. Businesses, education, government and non-profit organizations all have to work together to create a prosperous picture for Anderson County,” said Osgood. n 45

January/February 2017

January is the month to talk about weddings! You may have received an engagement ring over the holidays or are expecting one for Valentine’s Day. Engagements are very popular between December and February with approximately 40 percent occurring in that three-month period, according to WeddingWireEDU. Bridal shows pop up everywhere at the beginning of a new year, and Anderson, Greenville and Spartanburg will all host shows in January 2017. We put together a list of local vendors to get you started because planning a wedding takes a lot of time, energy and money. Get ready, brides-and grooms-to-be...the wedding whirlwind is about to begin! By Caroline Anneaux

andersonmagazine.com

Your Guide to

“I Do”

January/February 2017

Photo Credit: Angel Ruff Photography

Photographers

Photographing a wedding day is probably best left to a professional. Anyone can snap pictures with their cell phones or iPads. Professional photographers use top-quality equipment and understand how to blend in with the crowd, yet capture all of the special moments for the bride and groom to enjoy for a lifetime.

Angel Ruff photographs brides and grooms in the Upstate and will travel if asked. She makes it simple by offering a full wedding day coverage package along with a complimentary engagement session. Bridal portrait sessions may be added if the bride is interested. “I love taking wedding photos,” said Ruff. “My favorite part is capturing true emotions during the first dances. By that time of the wedding, everyone is so relaxed, and I get some amazing photos.” After graduating from Clemson, Ruff settled in the area and currently lives in Pendleton with her husband, Ian, and their two children, Evelyn and Owen. www.angelruffphotography.com www.facebook.com/angelruffphotography

“My favorite part is capturing true emotions during the first dances.”

local photographers Michelle Brooks

Van Sullivan

617-2707

202-3134

Black Truffle Photography/David Locke 375-0104

Life Is a Tripp Photography/Christy Tripp 556-6011

Angel Ruff 506-0506

Olivia White 844-4063

Jewelers

local jewelers

Diamonds-n-Gold Direct 225-3320

Choosing an engagement ring may be a bit overwhelming, but these local jewelers are willing to help you through the process. You may also need other pieces of jewelry for the bridal party and mothers of the brides and grooms. Don’t forget that the wedding bands need to be purchased, sized and engraved before the wedding. andersonmagazine.com

Kay Jewelers 226-3826 Phil Jewelers 226-7635 Score’s Jewelers 261-0700 TMP Jewelers 940-1267

January/February 2017

Venues

If you are getting married, you will most likely need to find a venue. You may even need a few, depending on the events you have: engagement parties, bridal showers/luncheons and the rehearsal. Brides and grooms in Anderson County have a wide variety of locations to choose from, depending on theme, budget and location. Bill and Jessica Faulkenberry own the gorgeous Evergreen Plantation in Starr. The indoor facility, Evergreen Lodge, can easily accommodate 350 guests for your wedding or rehearsal party. Wedding vows may be exchanged in many breathtaking spots around the 400-acre plantation. Evergreen Plantation books events up to a year in advance and encourages the bride and groom to call before they set a date to make sure it is available. If you are looking for an authentic southern plantation, this is the place you want to book. Tours are by appointment only. Contact Jessica at 437-3400 to set up a time.

local venues

www.lodgeatevergreen www.facebook.com/lodgeatevergreen

Anderson Arts Center

222-2787

Belton Center for the Arts

Evergreen Plantation 437-3400

Wedding Planners

Palmettoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Event Center 810-7339 Pavilion at Walker Century Farms 226-2668 The Bleckley Inn/ The Bleckley Station 225-7203 The Oaks Wedding Venue 293-3606

Rentals

As soon as a couple is engaged, calling a local wedding planner should be first on the list. Wedding planners help out every step of the way and make sure every little detail is taken care of to make your life less stressful during this important time.

Tents, linens, chairs, table settings, candles, archways--the list goes on and on. With all of the events you will have, you will probably need the help of these local folks. Call them to find out what services they offer and let them help you decorate for all of your bridal events.

local planners

Fosterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Main Events 933-0269 Timeless Events

local rental places

314-4242

Event Rentals 965-9100

Weddings by Kimberly 224-6552 andersonmagazine.com

338-8556

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January/February 2017

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Downtown Anderson, South Carolina

Evergreen Plantation Weddings & Events

4800 Highway 187 South • Starr, SC 29684 • www.evergreen-plantation.com Jessica Faulkenberry - Event Coordinator • 864.437.3400 andersonmagazine.com

January/February 2017

Catering

Well, no one wants to go to an event without some good food, right? We found some places around town with some mouth-watering menu selections ranging from small, intimate gatherings up to receptions and dinners for hundreds of people. Check out some of these caterers and see what delicious items they can serve at your events. Jeff Morris owns The Butcher’s Block on North Main Street. He has provided quality meat and seafood to locals for 30 years and has catered weddings since 1994. From intimate dinner parties of six to parties for up to 500 people, Morris can handle it all. “Weddings are the most fun part of my business,” said Morris. “It is such a big day for the bride and groom, and the excitement level is contagious. Every wedding is unique, so catering one is never the same. I love it.” By only serving local, free-range chicken and pork, fresh vegetables, the highest quality beef and all homemade sauces and dressings, Morris keeps his brides and grooms happy. His advertising is all word-of-mouth, and he stays booked! Contact him as soon as you know when you will say your “I dos” if you want him and his great staff to cater your events. Morris and wife Sandy have a daughter, Kara. Jeff and Sandy have lived in Anderson for 30 years. www.thebutchersblocksc.com

local caterers

Carolina Catering 617-0806

Pompous Pig

Friend’s Farm & Catering 864-231-0663

Sullivan’s Metropolitan Grill 226-8945

The Galley 287-3215

The Butcher’s Block 359-2099

Peerless Catering 276-8492

Tucker’s 226-5474

231-7447

Invitations

Bartenders

Everything seems to be done in the cyber world these days, so it sure is a treat to get a beautiful invitation in the mailbox for an upcoming event. Local printers are able to help you choose save-the-date cards, invitations, personalized stationery for thank you notes, map/direction cards and more. Check out these local stores for all of your printing needs.

If you are looking for a local bartender to help with one of your events throughout your engagement or on your wedding weekend, these two men may be able to help you out. They are well-known in the area and stay super busy keeping those glasses filled with great drinks.

invitations

local bartenders

Attaway Printing

Reggie Hawthorne 376-6105

225-1286

Electric City Printing 224-6331

Robert Beeks 353-0755

Minuteman Press 224-9115 andersonmagazine.com

January/February 2017

If you need flowers at your events, these florists have great reputations around town. Again, it is not just the wedding and reception where flowers are needed to dress up the venue. You may need corsages for the bridal party at lunches and showers, centerpieces for all functions throughout the engagement period and even “thank you” bouquets for those friends and family members who help make everything extra special for you. Honey B florist, owned by lifelong Anderson resident Aimee Cromer, is ready to help brides and grooms select beautiful flowers for all of their wedding needs. “I work with any budget to try to accommodate any requests and work hard to give every bride and groom flowers they will enjoy on their special day,” said Cromer. Cromer began her floral career 16 years ago after a short stint as a middle school science teacher. Her sister needed flowers for her wedding reception, and Cromer stepped up to the job. All of her sister’s friends were getting married around the same time, so her career blossomed as other brides-to-be saw what she could create. Cromer said that April to July and September to November are her biggest wedding months, but she stays busy yearround. Call her to get your name on her calendar as soon as you pick a wedding date! Cromer shares her home and work space with husband, Kevin, and their children, Lila and Field. Find her on Facebook.

Florist

local florists

Honey B/Aimee Cromer 933-1755 Chez Julie’s Florist 226-6261 Floral Arts 226-1471 Linda’s Flower Shop 375-0024

Cakes

It isn’t just a wedding cake that you need for the reception. How about desserts for the engagement party, showers, luncheons or even a special groom’s cake for the wedding day? Make your list of yummy baked items you will need, and give one of these places a call to see what they are able to bake for your guests. Emily Brown, owner of Baked by Brownie, started baking delicious wedding cakes about four years ago when her friend’s daughter was getting married and she was asked to make the cake. Brown is flexible with designs and the sizes of her cakes -- all you need to do is let her know what you want and she will create whatever you wish. She even bakes allergy-free cakes upon request. Incredibly creative and very particular about getting the job done right, Brown is the only one who will work on your cake. She and her husband, Andrew (aka Mr. Cake Lady), will deliver your cake or cakes to your chosen venue. Please give her as much notice as you can, for she is one busy lady. Word-of-mouth is her only form of advertisement, and she books up quickly.

local cakes

Brown works out of her Anderson home and lives with her husband and two children, Max and Vivien. Instagram@ibakecakes www.facebook.com/bakedbybrowniellc

Emily Brown 221-7556 Holly’s Cakes 224-6655 The Sweetery 224-8394 andersonmagazine.com

January/February 2017

Dresses & Tuxedos

There are some beautiful dresses out there for the bridesto-be and their bridesmaids, and these shops are great places to search for the perfect one. You might be surprised at the choices for men as well. Make sure you give yourselves plenty of time to decide on the wedding attire for you and your wedding party. The Castle is the only bridal shop in Anderson and the place to go if you want a full-service boutique with a knowledgeable staff to help you select the dress you will wear on your wedding day. “We do everything we can to keep the stress off of our customers,” said Robyn Landmesser, owner. “To make their shopping experience as pain-free as possible, we have them browse while we pull gowns for them to try on. We also have a comfortable place for the shopper’s helpers to sit and watch the bride-to-be try on the dresses until she finds the perfect one.” With more than 150 wedding gowns in the store, ranging in sizes from 4 to 32W, and special orders upon request, The Castle is dedicated to making Anderson brides look amazing. They also have at least 1,000 dresses in stock for mothers, bridesmaids, flower girls and guests and carry a huge selection of accessories. Landmesser and Christy Conn are sisters and co-owners of The Castle. They are both from Spartanburg, but chose the Anderson area for their boutique in order to give Anderson brides a local place to shop. Instagram@thecastlepromandbridal www.facebook.com/thecastelpromandbridal

local dress & tux shops Belk 225-2511

The Castle 224-9410 Men’s Wearhouse 222-3507

Alterations

Thomas & Son’s Tuxedos 226-3323

So many different events require a lot of outfits, and alterations may be a necessity. See what these local shops can do to help get you and your wedding party in outfits that are tailor fit and stunning for every party or reception you attend.

local alteration shops Abbi Mae’s Closet 380-2002 Alterations Unlimited 375-0808 B’s Alterations 222-8262

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January/February 2017

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RVs becoming the new homestead By Liz Carey

Imagine packing up your home and taking it on the road. That’s exactly what more and more people are doing, says the Recreational Vehicle Industry Association. According to a study by the RVIA, more and more Americans are buying RVs for home and recreational use. Dr. Richard Curtin, RV industry analyst and director of consumer surveys at the University of Michigan, says the number of RV-owning households has grown to a new peak of 8.9 million, up from 7.9 million in 2005. And 21 percent of U.S. households say they intend to purchase an RV, up from 16 percent in 2001. Lindsay Oliver, operations manager at Karolina Koaches in Piedmont, says they’ve seen the popularity of RVs explode in their store as well. More and more people are buying RVs to use as their homes, she says. “It breaks down into four different demographics,” Oliver says. “There are your retired people who want to travel. Then you have those who are still working, but want to live in the RV as an alternative to renting an apartment or house. Others are parents who are dissatisfied with the school system and buy the RV to home school their children and want to travel as part of their education. And there are the RVers who are buying them for vacations or recreation, like tailgating.” From simple pop-up campers to full-sized homes on wheels, RVs have come a long way from the Winnebagos of old. andersonmagazine.com

New RVs feature separate bedrooms, televisions, bathtubs and full-sized kitchens. And with slide-outs on either side of the vehicle or trailer, the RVs of today are roomy with all the luxuries of home, including washers and dryers, dishwashers and even fireplaces. “The new designs on RVs have made them more like a real home,” Oliver says. “In some RVs, the kitchens are just as nice as the ones you have at home, with islands and wine racks. They aren’t like the old RVs at all.” Depending on the year, the model and the accessories, RVs at Karolina Koaches range from $14,000 to more than $1 million. A small tailgating trailer, Oliver said, can be as inexpensive as $100-$125 a month, while providing owners with an outdoor kitchen, interior seating and a bathroom for game day. January/February 2017

Recreation comfortable living in it for two to three weeks or longer. And you have to think about your budget. You’re going to be living in it so if you go cheap, you’re going to live cheap.” Not only will McCay live in the RV while he is working on the road, but he plans to take the RV and travel once he and his wife retire. RVs have a long lifespan, if you’re willing to take care of them. Oliver said the first thing she advises people interested in buying an RV to do is to figure out what you want to do with them. “We try to figure out what kind of camping you want to do,” Oliver says. “Most people don’t want to spend $50,000 on a camper to travel back and forth to ball games or go-cart races. We want to make sure that you buy an RV that is right for you and you love it.” The benefits of the RV lifestyle don’t stop at the doorstep, Oliver said. “RV people, the ones who are really in the lifestyle, they’re just a great bunch of people,” she says. “When you go to some of these RV parks, it’s just like a neighborhood. People will come over to borrow a cup of sugar, or stop by your campsite to say hi and see where you’re from. It’s just a simpler way of life, really.” n

For Jesse McCay, RVs are a lifestyle that he just prefers. A contractor for Duke Energy, McCay lives in his RV on a friend’s farm in West Pelzer. Originally from Terre Haute, Indiana, McCay spends two weeks here and then flies back home over a weekend to spend time with his family. “I’ve been doing this for 17 years,” McCay says. “Duke has shipped me all over seven states. I’ve stayed in every kind of hotel, apartment, house that you could think about. But I choose to live in the RV. It’s more like home. For one thing, it’s mine. For another, there’s no one running down the hall at night, or making noise in an upstairs apartment.” McCay’s RV is a toy hauler, which is a travel trailer RV with storage space in the rear for him to store his motorcycle. At 43 feet, 7 inches long, the RV sleeps eight and features a full-sized tub, air conditioning, heat, LED lights and a washer and dryer. “The first thing you need to consider is how much time you’re going to spend in it and how comfortable do you want to be,” McCay says about buying an RV. “You need to walk into them and spend a couple of hours there. They look nice, but you need to make sure you could be

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January/February 2017

Health & Happiness

Life After Cake

By Caroline Anneaux

The engagement period has ended, the wedding is over, presents are put away and you and your spouse are settling into your new life together. Don’t forget there are a few things you need to take care of in the near future. 3.5” x 2” If you are the bride and have taken your husband’s name, remember to update records at the Social Security Administration, the Department of Motor Vehicles and all of your bank accounts, loan accounts, payroll accounts, passports, credit cards and any other account with your name on it. If you and/or your spouse have moved, updating your address is also important. Creating or rewriting your will and adding your spouse to insurance policies is critical if you want him or her taken care of in the event of an untimely death. Talking to a financial planner might also be beneficial. Getting information on how to save money for your future together is something newly married couples may overlook. And, if you haven’t already done so, sitting down and discussing how you need to split the bills, combine your money in joint accounts or keep them separate and talking about how you both handle debt, spending and saving is a great idea. If you are thinking about buying a new home together, you may discover that you need to have some serious financial discussions if you didn’t do that prior to the wedding. Tuxedos are normally rented, but that expensive dress is yours to keep. Take it to a reputable cleaner to make sure it is cleaned and preserved before you store it away. The same goes for any flowers or items you used for your ceremony. Taking care of items now will keep them safe for future generations to enjoy. Thank you notes are necessary to showed loved ones how much their gifts, time and words of encouragement mean to you. The vendors you used for your special day would also love to get a personal note of thanks for everything they did to make your wedding extra special. The notes should be in the mail no later than three months after the date, so work on several of them a day to make the task less overwhelming. You may have some gifts to return after the ceremony is over. Gather them up, set them aside in groups according to the stores they will be returned to, and then make trips to the stores together to pick out something else you and your spouse would like for your new home. And last of all, be sure to take some time together to go through the photographs and the video and savor the memories you just made. The days will turn into months and then years before you know it. Enjoy the calm after the wedding and let each other know how happy you are that the I dos may be over, but your life together as a couple is just beginning. n andersonmagazine.com

January/February 2017

Russell D Rhodes Financial Advisor .

120 Scenic Road Anderson, SC 29621 864-222-0421

Local Businesses

in Anderson Safety is a Great Valentine’s Day Present

Discreet Stunguns Pepper Sprays Personal Alarms Concealed Carry Purses

Debbie Whitworth C: 864-760-3700

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GRAND OPENING

Snappy Express is now open on HWY 81 in Anderson! We are excited to announce that this will be Snappy's first Express Detail location! You can purchase an express wash like always OR you can add an Snappy Interior Finish with your wash. We offer two services with our Snappy Interior Finish, Express Clean or Express Detail.

2117 N HWY 81 Anderson, SC 29621

SnappyWash.com

House & Home

Baby, It’s Cold Outside

The fireplace is glowing... There’s nothing cozier than snuggling up in front of a warm fireplace. The argument continues over which is better – a real wood fireplace with its rustic smell and crackling sounds or gas logs that offer ambiance and warmth with just the flip of a switch. Either way, a fireplace is a soughtafter feature in homes. But what if your home doesn’t have a fireplace? With some remodeling, one can be added. Harris Carpets of Anderson (and now with a Greenwood location) offers new fireplace installation as well as remodeling. “If natural gas can be installed into the house, a low-cost way to add a fireplace to a home is to install a vent ceiling and add rock or drywall to the frame. The firebox or gas logs can be purchased as a kit and inserted into the framing. A mantle or fireplace surround can be made to match the style of fireplace chosen by the customer,” said Michael Fulghum of Harris Carpets. Let’s say your home already has a fireplace, but it needs some updating. Harris Carpets can help there as well. “If we have a client that is asking for these services, we andersonmagazine.com

recommend coming into one of our stores and sitting down for a consult,” said Fulghum. “We can then get an idea for the client’s needs and establish a budget. Improvements can be made with any budget, like paint and replacing a mantle. Slight modifications can make a huge difference in look.” According to Fulghum, rock is the predominant material being used for fireplace surrounds, but becoming increasingly popular is the use of ship lap or reclaimed wood to make accent walls around a fireplace. He said customers with brick are painting the brick, and that whitewashing brick is gaining popularity as well. While fireplaces are often only thought of as picturesque, they are also very energy efficient as well. “The use of wood burning fireplaces and proper air circulation throughout a home (the use of ceiling fans or blower on the fireplace) can be huge cost savings,” said Fulghum. “The only cost or time requirement is collecting the firewood, but that can be burdensome to busy moms and dads. Gas logs have taken the burden away from collecting the fuel, but as far money savings, it doesn’t compare to the cost savings from a wood burning fireplace.” n January/February 2017

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January/February 2017

Community

Shootin’ Hoops for Christian Outreach

As a third-grader, Crayton Pruitt had just returned to his hometown after living six years in Maryland while his mother worked on her doctorate. He was searching for a way to fit in and make friends in his new surroundings and specifically at First Presbyterian Church in Anderson. So he tried basketball. “I hadn’t played before,” Pruitt says, “but I saw it as an avenue to having more friends.” He got much more than that. “It was great! And I will never forget the coaches who helped me in so many areas of my life, not just basketball,” he said. Pruitt is speaking of the Anderson Church Athletic Association, a church basketball league that was founded in 1987 by First Presbyterian member Debbie (Gardner) Foster and Trinity Methodist member (and former Clemson basketball player) Wayne Croft. Designed as an outreach, its stated purpose is “to Encourage, Stimulate, and Inspire Christian Athletics.” Nearly three decades after his first experience with the league, Pruitt is serving his second year as the league’s director. This season, the league boasts 47 teams and a clinic, and 11 churches participate in the youth league. The adult league features an open league of men’s teams and now a hybrid league of coed teams. The youth league is divided into many age-level segments, among them a coed 9-andunder league and a five-and-under clinic that introduces the game to kids. “It has been and will continue to be a league that is welcoming to children of all ability levels and that is important in helping teach youth sportsmanship, competitive skills, social skills, and leadership skills, with the ability of doing so in a Christian atmosphere,” Pruitt says. The most popular and competitive level is the High School Boys’ 17-and-under league, as well as the High School girls league. “For some of them, it’s their last hurrah,” Pruitt says. “They are all pretty good athletes. It’s very competitive.” Brian Johnson, a coach in the league for over 15 years, who coached the high school boys at one time, agrees. “They are pretty intense, but don’t take anything away from the high school girls. They go right after it, too. Many of these kids grow up near a 5A High School (TL Hanna) where it’s very difficult to make the team, so they are still very good athletes.” andersonmagazine.com

By John Boone

But Johnson says the thrills the league provides go well beyond the competition on the court. “We got a kid to start coming to church because of the basketball league, and he went on to become one of the most active kids we had in youth group [at Central Presbyterian]. He’s still at the church now, years later, bringing his own kids. That’s a pretty good result.” Misty Fretwell’s husband Ray coaches in the league and her two boys, Kenny (11) and Raymond (14), have grown up in it playing for First Presbyterian. “It’s just a positive, fun environment,” she says. “It’s very competitive, but also a fun way to fellowship, and celebrate competition and athleticism.” “There’s also the spiritual aspect and the camaraderie,” she adds. “It translates into the kids being in church for other things, and also an opportunity for outreach.” One can’t help but notice the loyalty that the league perpetuates. Kids grow up in it, continue to play in their adult years, and then bring their kids up in it. Coaches, all of whom are volunteers, coach year after year after year, some measuring their tenure in decades rather than seasons. New coaches as well, such as college students and young adults, want to be involved, to give back, and to be a positive influence. “It is about building relationships,” Johnson says. “And I guess that part of it is working. We have many players who come back, or at least stay in touch, once they’ve moved on with their lives. I enjoy coaching, and hope to continue as long as I can.” For further information on the Anderson Church Athletic Association, including league rules and signups, visit acaa.org. n January/February 2017

Anderson’s Social Page

Runners ready to take on the 5k at the YMCA Reindeer Run!

Rick Willey & Bill Norman with members of the Clemson Shotgun Team at the Celebrity Benefit Shoot VI for the Anderson Free Clinic at the Belton Gun Club.

Brett Bodell and daughter Haley at Clemson vs SC game.

Celebrity Benefit Shoot VI for the Anderson Free Clinic at the Belton Gun Club (Austin Wimberly, Rep. Brian White, Craig Chappelear, Fred Taylor & Blake Makison). Marshall Primary School’s Chorus sang ‘whisper what you’ll bring to me now you dear old man’ while singing the song ‘Jolly ol’ Saint Nicholas’ with their music teacher Mrs. Christina Brown for the Christmas Tree Lighting Saturday evening at the Belton Museum.

andersonmagazine.com

January/February 2017

Katie and Clay Crosson ready for the YMCA Reindeer Run!

Getting in the spirit of the season at this year’s Reindeer Run.

Concord Elementary wins the Elementary School Competition for the most school participants at the YMCA Reindeer Run.

Decorating is Not My Forte By April Cameron

Do you know what I’m not good at? Well, there’s a lot of things I’m not good at. But one thing I’m really not good at is decorating. I have a decorating style – a specific taste, I would say. I love antiques. The more rustic, the better. I’m almost an antique junkie. My kids might even just call it “junk.” But can I put an old milk carton with an egg crate and a washtub and make it look like a cute antique vignette? No. It looks like someone dumped their trash in the corner of the room. So, as it was the Christmas season and time to decorate for the holidays, I began pulling out the boxes of décor. I love the old, antique glass ornaments. They remind me of my grandmother and decorating her tree when I was a child. But I also have a good sense of humor, so I love a funny little ornament like my wooden moustache that says “stache-ing through the snow.” And, of course, I adore all of the hand-made, keepsake ornaments that my children have crafted over the years from church and school. Photos of them hot glued to a CD, little handprints on a ball, candles made out of toilet paper tubes…I like to put every last one of them on the tree. My Lily Pulitzer, Jack Rogers-wearing, only-Hunterboots-will-do teenager does not see eye-to-eye with me on the Christmas tree decorations. She thinks our Christmas tree should look like something out of the Biltmore House with only color coordinated ornaments, a distinct theme and very likely some type of feathery, poufy topper that might also double as a head ornament for Lady Gaga. So, what did I do? Tried to grant her wish. It was the Christmas season after all! Let’s do TWO trees this year, I exclaimed! One that is our perfectly decorated tree and one that is our family heirloom tree! I’m a genius! We found the perfect Charlie Brown tree for the family heirloom tree. It cradled the childhood memories with love. I purchased white, sparkly ribbon to use as garland on the fancy tree. I purchased new, shiny ornaments. We had a clear vision for our Biltmore-esque tree, and my daughter was so excited to have a tree that was going to meet her expectations of Christmas décor. Together, we worked on the tree. We hung the ornaments. We put everything in just the right place. We wrapped our beautiful, white, sparkly ribbon garland

around its green branches. We took a step back to view the finished product, and… It looked like we had just rolled our tree in toilet paper. It was awful. Just awful. I am a horrible decorator. Where was I supposed to put the ribbon? Should it have been tucked in further? Was it supposed to sit on the branches? Should it have been closer together? Farther apart? White may have been a bad choice. It was just horrible. Our beautiful, fancy, sparkly, Biltmore tree looked like Junior-Senior week at its worst! And then, we laughed and laughed and laughed. You know what I’m not good at? I’m not good at decorating, but I’m really good at laughing. n

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